Magic Ring 1970

Isamu Noguchi made this sculpture out of reddish stone, likely in the latter part of his career. The Magic Ring shows the artist’s enduring interest in the monumentality of simple forms, but also his love for material and the process of working it with his own hands. The ring itself is made up of several blocks, each carefully carved and fitted together. Stone carving is a labor-intensive process, requiring patience, precision, and a deep understanding of the material. The breaks in the ring show Noguchi’s awareness of the tension between wholeness and fragmentation. Noguchi often worked directly with artisans in places such as Italy and Japan, understanding that their highly skilled labor was essential to realizing his vision. He saw this collaborative process as a way of bridging the gap between art and craft, and between different cultures. Ultimately, this sculpture invites us to consider the many hands and processes that have shaped the world around us, and to appreciate the value of both artistic vision and skilled labor.