The Essence of Objects and Architecture

Abstract

Every substance in the universe has its own identity that defines what it is. The essence is the property that entity and object have by necessity, without which, it loses its nature. This research aims to explore the idea of the essence, what makes an object or space what it fundamentally is, through the means of identity, and the world view of Isamu Noguchi (1904-1988); the most important and critically acclaimed artist in the twentieth century for his experimentation in sculpture, gardens, furniture, lighting designs, set designs, ceramics, and architecture. Noguchi suggests that making is to view nature through nature’s eyes, making it necessary that an individual become one with nature. Human nature is the concept that indicates the fundamental dispositions or characteristics, including ways of thinking, feeling, acting formed through the history of one’s life. The maker’s role is to try to give true expression to this reality of the universal meaning of nature and interpretation realized through intuition from one’s essence. This thesis is examined through making furniture to understand the means of craft, and the materials and the awareness of the objects affecting the surrounding space creating a continuum to the universe. The research extends further, exploring experimentation in transforming one’s identity with primitive abstract forms of architecture.