Polar Bear

late 1926

Applies for a Guggenheim Fellowship

In his application he proposes to study stone and wood cutting and gain “a better understanding of the human figure” in Paris for a year, then spend another year traveling through Asia, exhibit his work, and return to New York. He is awarded the grant despite being three years short of the age requirement.

1927

Brâncuși’s assistant

Despite a language barrier (Noguchi barely speaks French and Brâncuși no English), Brâncuși takes him on as an assistant for seven months. Noguchi gains his footing in stone sculpture, a medium he had not known, and later admits that one of Brâncuși’s greatest teachings was to appreciate “the value of the moment”.

1927

Parisian acquaintances: Pascin, Calder, Breker

Letters of introduction from Michio Itō help him meet such artists as Jules Pascin and Alexander Calder, as well as Arno Breker; they become friends, and Breker makes a bronze bust of Noguchi.

1929

First one-man show

His abstract sculptures made in Paris are shown in his first one-man show at the Eugene Schoen Gallery. After none of his works sells, Noguchi abandons abstract art altogether for portrait busts in order to support himself, and soon accepts commissions from wealthy and celebrity clients.

February 1929

Returns to New York and meets Buckminster Fuller

He leaves for New York City. On Brâncuși’s recommendation he visits Romany Marie’s café in Greenwich Village and meets Buckminster Fuller, with whom he collaborates on several projects, including the modeling of Fuller’s Dymaxion car.

1930

To Beijing, to Qi Baishi

He leaves for Paris in April 1930 and two months later receives his visa to ride the Trans-Siberian Railway; he opts to visit Japan first rather than India, but after learning that his father Yone does not want him to visit using his surname, a shaken Noguchi departs for Beijing instead. In China he studies brush painting with Qi Baishi, staying for six months before sailing for Japan.