Noguchi Playscapes
The Lost Art of Playground Design
I attribute much of my playfulness to being born in Europe. European’s think of playgrounds as essential third spaces, not just for children but for families. They are bustling, central hubs for play, exploration, and community. It is very common to find playgrounds in the center of town squares, including my hometown, Mannheim, Germany, and the place where I spent a few summers in my youth, Montpellier, France. In addition to European playgrounds being much livelier than American playgrounds, they are also designed to be a tad bit more dangerous, encouraging kids of all age groups to explore the playscape together and helping younger kids assess risks and gain somatic confidence. "I came to the counterintuitive conclusion that engaging in risk is actually very important in preventing injuries," said Mariana Brussoni, a scientist with the Child & Family Research Institute, who conducted a systematic review of the scientific literature on playground safety in 2015 . "Children are learning how their bodies work, how the world works," she said. "They are learning fundamental skills that ultimately protect them."
Few understood and appreciated the imperative for playscapes that simultaneously challenge and inspire as deeply as the artist Isamu Noguchi (Los Angeles, 1904–New York, 1988). Enchanted by the role of sculpture in the urban landscape, Noguchi championed the belief that fine art should permeate people’s daily lives from childhood onward. His fascination with how children creatively engage with spaces and objects during play motivated him to embark on a series of playgrounds and play sculptures that are endearing to the inner child in each of us. These endeavors aimed to seamlessly blend aesthetics, functionality, and humanity's innate capacity for play.
"I think of playgrounds as a primer of shapes and functions; simple, mysterious, and evocative; thus, educational,"
- Isamu Noguchi.
Dakin Hart, senior curator of the Noguchi Museum, remarked on Noguchi's visionary perspective: "He possessed a profound concept that playgrounds should not mimic military exercise equipment for a hastily executed boot camp. Noguchi believed children should encounter the environment as humanity first experienced the Earth— a spectacular and complex place."
I, too, share in Noguchi’s ideals and believe playscapes should be spaces of wonder and delight, avoiding the pitfall of infantilizing children through excessive sterility and simplicity—a common issue with many playgrounds I see in the US. It’s a bit sad for me to see how neglected and empty my brand new neighborhood playground is here in the states, especially after having spent the summer in parks all over London. It seems the art of playground design is dying, at least in suburban America (where I think family friendly third spaces are needed most).
Unfortunately, Noguchi faced significant criticism for his designs, with critics arguing that his work was "too dangerous." Presently, only one Noguchi playground remains in the US, located in Piedmont Park, Atlanta, Georgia. Unsurprisingly, the majority of his playgrounds are situated in Japan. Yet, the search for well-designed playscapes need not require a journey to distant lands. In fact, I believe the best playscapes are still waiting to be imagined…
Enjoy this playful dose of inspiration from an artist who was truly ahead of his time:
What a fun and thought-provoking article.
Nice piece