About
In the northeastern expanse of Sapporo, where the urban tapestry begins to fray into the wild threads of nature, lies a realm where art and earth converge—a place where the visionary spirit of Isamu Noguchi breathes life into the landscape. This is Moerenuma Park, a testament to the alchemy of human creativity and natural beauty.
Once a barren wasteland, a repository for the refuse of the city, this land has undergone a metamorphosis as profound as any in nature. In 1988, Noguchi, the son of a Japanese poet and an American writer, stood upon this desolate ground and envisioned a sanctuary where art would heal the scars of industrialization. "To transform a place that has been damaged by man into a space of beauty is my work," he declared. Though he departed this world before the park's completion, his vision endured, culminating in the park's grand opening in 2005.
As one enters this vast 188.8-hectare expanse, the "Glass Pyramid" rises like a crystalline beacon. Its geometric facets capture the shifting moods of the sky, reflecting the cerulean blues of summer and the somber grays of winter. Within its transparent walls, light dances freely, illuminating galleries and spaces that invite contemplation and wonder. This structure pays homage to Noguchi's friend, architect I.M. Pei, echoing the iconic glass pyramid of the Louvre.
Beyond the pyramid, the "Sea Fountain" lies ensconced within a circle of larch trees. At intervals, it awakens, sending water soaring 25 meters into the air, a liquid sculpture that mirrors the rhythms of the sea. The fountain's choreography, a symphony of jets and cascades, evokes the tempestuous and tranquil moods of the ocean, a nod to the maritime heritage that Noguchi cherished.
To the east, the "Play Mountain" rises, a gentle slope beckoning visitors to ascend its 99 steps, each hewn from granite transported from the distant shores of the Seto Inland Sea. This mound, reminiscent of ancient ziggurats, embodies Noguchi's lifelong dream to sculpt the very earth, creating a space where the boundaries between art and landscape dissolve.
Nearby, the "Tetra Mound" stands as a sentinel of modernity—a trio of stainless steel cylinders converging into a towering tetrahedron. Its polished surfaces catch the sunlight, casting reflections that dance upon the surrounding greenery, a harmonious blend of industrial material and natural form.
In the "Sakura Forest," over 1,600 cherry trees stand as silent witnesses to the changing seasons. Among their boughs, Noguchi's playful spirit manifests in 126 unique playground sculptures. Children clamber over abstract forms, their laughter echoing through the grove, embodying Noguchi's belief that art should be a lived experience, accessible and interactive.
As the sun dips below the horizon, casting long shadows across the park, one cannot help but feel the presence of Noguchi's spirit. Moerenuma Park is more than a collection of sculptures and installations; it is a living, breathing artwork, a dialogue between humanity and nature, past and present. It stands as a testament to the transformative power of art, a place where the discarded becomes cherished, and the forgotten is reborn.