Isamu Noguchi – Akari Light Sculpture 1N

I bought this lamp for myself when I was in Japan in 2002. As an architecture grad student, I had no money, and was totally unaccustomed by my frugal and pragmatic nature to spend money on objects of beauty for myself. But standing the Japanese lamp shop on a warm early summer day, I knew that my future self would never forgive me if I didn’t buy this lamp. I loved its material simplicity, its delightful asymmetry and its playful warmth. The legs did a little squat when I tugged on the cord. I took it home with me in a sturdy black box. It has taken quite a few years growing into the future self that was ready to receive the gift. For way too long, I have moved around from one place to the other, packing and unpacking, and never quite settling in. Last night, as I unpacked for good into our new home, I decided it was time for a little bit of bask lighting. Tug. Squat. Click. Arigato!