About
A ten-foot marble slide and Akari lamps: the Noguchi Museum revisits the artist's 1986 Venice Biennale pavilion in Long Island City.
In 1986 Isamu Noguchi became the first solo artist to represent the U.S. at Venice, and he built the show around Slide Mantra, a ten-foot marble spiral slide set among bronze models of playgrounds he never got to build. This archival gallery revisits that provocative pavilion, curated by Henry Geldzahler and commissioned by PS1 founder Alanna Heiss. Pair it with the museum's garden for a calm Queens afternoon.
What to expect
A single gallery of photographs, documents and objects from the museum's collection and archive, set inside the building Noguchi designed himself. The rest of the museum — sculpture galleries and the stone garden — is part of the same visit.
Good to know
- It is one gallery, so give yourself time for the rest of the museum and the garden
- The museum is in Long Island City near Socrates Sculpture Park
- The N/W to Broadway in Astoria is the closest subway, followed by a walk toward the river
- Design fans can also see Isamu Noguchi at Lever House in Midtown this season
- Check the museum's visit page for open days before heading out
Common questions
What was Slide Mantra?
A ten-foot marble spiral slide Noguchi installed in the U.S. Pavilion courtyard in Venice, reflecting his commitment to play.
Is this a big exhibition?
No. It is a single-gallery archival presentation within the museum.