Light fixtures are an excellent design choice if you’re looking to add style to a room. If you love blending art, style, and function, Noguchi-style paper light sculptures are a great design choice. These paper light sculptures bring a simple elegance to your home and are perfect for minimalist design styles. Noguchi-style paper light sculptures are crafted with care and attention to detail, giving a gentle design touch and acting as a beautiful light source in any room. These minimalist-designed light sculptures do more than decorate a space; they bring a soft, timeless beauty wherever they are placed.

A Fusion of Minimalism and Elegance

Designed by Isamu Noguchi, a Japanese-American sculptor and designer, these paper light sculptures are the epitome of minimalist decor. Noguchi was inspired to create these lights after visiting the town of Gifu, Japan, in 1951. He then designed the first of his lamps using the traditional Gifu methods. According to the Noguchi Museum, Noguchi called these works Akari, which means light as illumination and implies the idea of weightlessness. Although he didn’t invent this style of lights, which dates back to being a staple in Japanese culture as early as the 11th century, he gave them a 20th-century upgrade.

Noguchi-style paper light sculptures are made using washi paper from the inner bark of mulberry trees and bamboo ribbing to infuse any space with a soft, ambient glow. They come in simple geometric shapes—often spheres or elongated ovals—that mesh seamlessly with various interior styles from the ultra-modern to traditional.

Versatility in Placement

One of the most significant advantages of these light sculptures is their versatile placement options. Noguchi-style lights can be hung as a statement piece in an entryway or clustered in varying sizes and heights to create a visually stunning centerpiece in your living room. These lights are used to brighten and elevate your home in many ways.

Investment in Quality

Investing in an authentic Noguchi piece ensures you’re bringing an element of artistic history into your living space. Each light sculpture is a masterful creation combining the traditional techniques of Japanese lantern-making with contemporary design sensibilities. Authentic Akari light sculptures can be found at the Noguchi Museum’s gift shop. There are also Noguchi-inspired lamps and lanterns on the market at a more affordable price point.

An Eco-Friendly Choice

Beyond aesthetics and functionality, Noguchi-style light sculptures are a sustainable choice. The materials—washi paper and bamboo—are renewable and biodegradable, aligning with an awareness and commitment to eco-friendly living.

Keep scrolling to discover our favorite Noguchi-style paper light sculptures.

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