The Hidden Gem of My NYC Trip: The Noguchi Museum 🗿✨

Isamu Noguchi was a famous Japanese-American sculptor. 🎨 In the 1980s, he became renowned in the art world for his Akari paper lanterns, which were inspired by Japanese culture. 🏮 Later, IKEA drew inspiration from these lanterns to create their classic paper lampshades – you could say Noguchi’s original vision became a household staple. 🛋️ The Noguchi Museum is tucked away in the Astoria neighborhood of Queens. � While Astoria might seem like just a small corner on the NYC map, it’s actually just a river away from the Upper East Side, making it a peaceful escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. 🌉🌿 The best way to get to the Noguchi Museum is by taking a boat to the Astoria Pier (see pic 7️⃣). 🚤 You can hop on a ferry from the East 90th St pier on the Upper East Side (it only takes a few minutes) or take a scenic ride from the Wall Street pier, cruising up the Hudson River and passing under iconic bridges like the Brooklyn Bridge. 🌉 The entire trip takes a little over an hour, and the experience is just as good as a luxury cruise – totally worth the few bucks for the ticket! 💸 The Noguchi Museum is primarily a sculpture gallery. 🗿 Its design emphasizes the harmony between people, artwork, and the environment. 🌱 The first floor houses the permanent exhibition, showcasing Noguchi’s works. 🖼️ The space is open and airy, with glimpses of the sky or garden corners (see pics 2️⃣/3️⃣). 🌤️🌸 The second floor features temporary exhibitions. When I visited, they were displaying works by Japanese artist Toshiko Takaezu. � Her ceramic pieces had stunning glazes that left me in awe (see pics 4️⃣/5️⃣). 🎨 The most unique part is the garden exhibition area, where some of Noguchi’s outdoor sculptures are displayed. 🌳🗿 The Noguchi Museum is a world away from the noise of NYC – many visitors just sit in a corner of the garden, reading or taking a little nap (see pic 6️⃣). 📚😌 #1MinuteTravelPlanning#NewYorkCity#CityWalk#ArtMuseum#Sculpture#Noguchi #NYCArtAdventures