Reference

Neeltje: 'One of my favorite sculptors of all time is Isamu Noguchi. Especially his works that are designed as landscape models, really touch me. There is a very true and honest expression in how the horizontal plane—our earth—finds its way into sculptural shape'. This has been the inspiration behind my new line of objects, crafted in stone and ceramics. More to come soon.

(Left) 'This Tortured Earth':

Bronze - 1942 - 1943 (cast 1963) 
size 3 x 28 1/8 x 29 in. (7.6 x 71.4 x 73.7 cm)

Noguchi: 'The idea of sculpting the earth followed me through the years, with mostly playground models as metaphor, but then there were others. This Tortured Earth was my concept for a large area to memorialize the tragedy of war. There is injury to the earth itself. The war machine, I thought, would be excellent equipment for sculpture, to bomb it into existence.' (source: the Noguchi Foundation)

Reference

Neeltje: 'One of my favorite sculptors of all time is Isamu Noguchi. Especially his works that are designed as landscape models, really touch me. There is a very true and honest expression in how the horizontal plane—our earth—finds its way into sculptural shape'. This has been the inspiration behind a new line of objects, crafted in stone and ceramics. More to come soon.

(Above) 'This Tortured Earth':

Bronze - 1942 - 1943 (cast 1963) 
size 3 x 28 1/8 x 29 in. (7.6 x 71.4 x 73.7 cm)

Isamu: 'The idea of sculpting the earth followed me through the years, with mostly playground models as metaphor, but then there were others. This Tortured Earth was my concept for a large area to memorialize the tragedy of war. There is injury to the earth itself. The war machine, I thought, would be excellent equipment for sculpture, to bomb it into existence.' (source: the Noguchi Foundation)

(Above) 'Contoured Playground'

Plaster - 1941
size: 2 3/4 x 26 1/4 x 26 1/4 in. (7 x 66.7 x 66.7 cm)

Isamu Noguchi first created the design for Contoured Playground in 1941, utilizing “earth modulations” to construct a compact landscape in which children could play. Like many of Noguchi’s playground designs, Contoured Playground was never built. This playground was designed so that no person would get injured by it, after an earlier design named Play Mountain —with shapes standing out from the ground —was considered dangerous. Nogushi wanted to stimulate free and adventuresome play, with shapes that demonstrate movement. Contoured Playground presented hillocks, crannies and pools for play.

Neeltje: 'The combination of geometrical and organic shapes that are gently dug into the earth invite you to react in a intiutive way, it invites touch and leaves room for your imagination. It's simplicity talks to your body first, than to the mind.'