“I think of playgrounds as a primer of shapes and functions; simple, mysterious, and evocative; thus educational.” – Isamu Noguchi This week Dakin Hart, senior curator of The Noguchi Museum, joined “City Lights” host Lois Reitzes (@wabecitylights) to discuss Playscapes at Piedmont Park, Isamu Noguchi’s only realized playground in the United States. Recalling previously created models for his own variations on more traditional play equipment, this commission from the High Museum allowed Noguchi to harness his interest in applying playfulness to sculpture. “[Noguchi] said, ‘Sculpture can be a vital part of our everyday lives if pushed into communal usefulness,’ and he couldn’t think of a better way to push into communal usefulness than to make something that kids could interact with.” – Dakin Hart Learn more about Piedmont Park and Noguchi's playscapes in the audio piece on WABE Atlanta / NPR: https://www.wabe.org/in-piedmont-park-noguchis-playscapes-are-both-modern-art-and-a-childrens-playground/ __ Quote: Isamu Noguchi, 'Playscapes Pamphlet,' c. 1977. The Noguchi Museum Archives, MS_PROJ_046_040. Images: Isamu Noguchi, Playscapes, Piedmont Park, Atlanta, Georgia, 1975–76. ©INFGM / ARS #piedmontpark #noguchiplayscapes #playscapes #isamunoguchi #playgrounds #noguchiplayground #wabecitylights #wabe #atlanta @piedmontpark