On my recent trip to New York I was able to see Taking Shape:The Akari Light Sculptures of Isamu Noguchi exhibition curated by Adam Edelsberg for Wright. The auction has already happened and was a major success. There was a wonderful catalog produced, written by Glenn Adamson with an intro by Edelsberg. The exhibition included examples of the earliest Akari lamps produced in the 1950's through 1970's. The fact that any of these early paper shades have survived is incredible, the fact that Adam was able to assemble this many was a major testament of how good he is at what he does.
Isamu Noguchi traveled to Gifu, Japan in 1951 where he visited the Ozeki lantern factory. He then started working on his own designs. In 1954, Chuo Koron Gallery in Tokyo held the first exhibition of Noguchi’s Akari designs.
The earliest Akari mark with just the sun and moon. Later Japan is stamped on the shades. The newer shades have Noguchi's signature.
