Water Stone, 1987-Installing Isamu Noguchi's Iconic Sculpture | From the Vaults

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.พ. 2020
  • Have you ever been curious to learn how works of art get into the galleries? Behold the trials, frustrations, and unique satisfactions of presenting art to the public. This short documentary follows the custom installation of Isamu Noguchi's beloved sculpture Water Stone (1986) in gallery 229, where it still resides, and offers a special opportunity to witness a living artist interact with staff as their work is prepared for display.
    As part of The Met’s 150th anniversary in 2020, each month we will release three to four films from the Museum’s extensive moving-image archive, which comprises over 1,500 films, both made and collected by the Museum, from the 1920s onward. This includes rarely seen artist profiles and documentaries, as well as process films about art-making techniques and behind-the-scenes footage of the Museum.
    New films every week: www.metmuseum.org/150/from-th...
    Learn more about the series here: www.metmuseum.org/blogs/now-a...
    Subscribe for new content from The Met: / metmuseum
    #FromtheVaults #TheMet #FilmFridays #MetFilmArchive

ความคิดเห็น • 222

  • @shadowraith1
    @shadowraith1 4 ปีที่แล้ว +155

    Temper followed by comfort. Brilliant.

  • @mwilson1964
    @mwilson1964 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    This is my husband's favorite thing at the Met.
    I love him regardless.

  • @RichMitch
    @RichMitch 4 ปีที่แล้ว +177

    "Don't try to do too much"
    Words to live by

    • @madLphnt
      @madLphnt 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Never forget that the value of the cup is in its emptiness.

    • @RichMitch
      @RichMitch 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@madLphnt 🙏

    • @Johnconno
      @Johnconno ปีที่แล้ว

      One must become like water.😂

  • @zaxmaxlax
    @zaxmaxlax 3 ปีที่แล้ว +65

    What am I doing with my life? It's 3am and I'm watching a bunch of men leveling a rock for 10 minutes.

    • @seshmarls
      @seshmarls 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Go watch videos on surface plates see old gray beards make stones flatter then you might imagine

    • @shilohstore6086
      @shilohstore6086 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      4:45 and same

    • @robertafierro5592
      @robertafierro5592 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      You're not wasting this time. Time is valuable.

  • @KitchenerLeslie2
    @KitchenerLeslie2 4 ปีที่แล้ว +258

    Isamu Noguchi: Imperfection better than perfection...
    Guy hoisting and moving the rock 18 times: da fuck he say?

    • @canlong9603
      @canlong9603 3 ปีที่แล้ว +18

      To the end, a person can only achieve 99%, none can reach 100%. The lost part is somewhat the nature's will.

    • @airmark02
      @airmark02 3 ปีที่แล้ว +16

      & the sacred rocks from Bla Bla Bla River in Japan being tossed in a pile ... Lol.
      I love philosophical contrast
      don't you ?

    • @noahnipperus7320
      @noahnipperus7320 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@canlong9603 You almost have it right, I think?! The astonishing thing about art is that anyone can achieve 101% One must include the flexibility to allow a plan to be better than One imagined

    • @noahnipperus7320
      @noahnipperus7320 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      To integrate into your plan from the beginning the trust in Nature's Will

    • @BlackTheSheep
      @BlackTheSheep 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Perfectly imbalanced, you could say.

  • @henchmanb
    @henchmanb 3 ปีที่แล้ว +132

    "it has to be perfectly leveled"
    *Brings 1.5' level*

    • @someonesomething
      @someonesomething 3 ปีที่แล้ว +14

      and then says "imperfection is whats important" :D

    • @HannyDart
      @HannyDart 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      what do you expect, its the usa after all

    • @theotherserge
      @theotherserge 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      A perfectly flat surface, if it so, could just use a torpedo level.

    • @Keechization
      @Keechization 3 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      there are 8 inch levels that are accurate to 20 arc seconds, longer levels don't mean they're more accurate

    • @sp10sn
      @sp10sn 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Keechization interesting

  • @trje246
    @trje246 3 ปีที่แล้ว +59

    The rock must be excited to get _so much attention_ after waiting 4.5 billion years

    • @greateagle8799
      @greateagle8799 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Sounds like a really cool twilight zone episode

  • @LalitoTV
    @LalitoTV 3 ปีที่แล้ว +68

    Every single shot of the rock looks like an album cover

  • @reiowa9150
    @reiowa9150 4 ปีที่แล้ว +111

    his frustrations are justified! the top of the supporting stones being perfectly level basically upholds the central theme of this work

  • @AndyCutright
    @AndyCutright 3 ปีที่แล้ว +126

    Rick: "You think you know level? I'll show you level!"

    • @avatar1867
      @avatar1867 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Mood

    • @petrektek1385
      @petrektek1385 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      You won.

    • @doctoroctos
      @doctoroctos 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      that quote is exactly what entered my mind

  • @IHWKR
    @IHWKR 3 ปีที่แล้ว +96

    Says imperfections is better than perfection only after 7 hours to get it perfectly level.

    • @DirtyRobot
      @DirtyRobot 3 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      Nature can take millions of years to achieve the same outcome. Millions of years for imperfection.

    • @daktarioskarvannederhosen2568
      @daktarioskarvannederhosen2568 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Lolz

    • @daktarioskarvannederhosen2568
      @daktarioskarvannederhosen2568 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@beckspace safety???

    • @amplituhedron5582
      @amplituhedron5582 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      it has to be well balanced so water flows equally from all sides. that 1 ton rock isn't going anywhere once is on the floor

    • @autismandy3050
      @autismandy3050 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Artists = Frauds

  • @jr3002
    @jr3002 4 ปีที่แล้ว +114

    That was a lovely film about process. Thanks to The Met for posting this gem.

    • @metmuseum
      @metmuseum  3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Thanks for watching!

    • @noahstephens7622
      @noahstephens7622 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      It’s volcanic rock, not a gem.

    • @itzybitzyspyder
      @itzybitzyspyder 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@noahstephens7622 *igneous

  • @rstyknfe
    @rstyknfe 3 ปีที่แล้ว +30

    6:51 "We have plenty of imperfection around here" she says while looking at the other gal. Brutal.

    • @TicoMachi
      @TicoMachi 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Glad I wasn't the only one who caught that passive aggressive comment. She looked so salty during the whole installation.

  • @anitaanil6333
    @anitaanil6333 3 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    He passed away the very following year in 1988, at the age of 84.

  • @kazikian
    @kazikian 3 ปีที่แล้ว +27

    Human beings are such interesting creatures.

  • @JulianMakes
    @JulianMakes 3 ปีที่แล้ว +23

    “So that it’s flat top would be perfectly level with the centre of the earth”... oh you mean level then...

  • @rr7firefly
    @rr7firefly 3 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    An artist who demands perfection. I like that Noguchi brought along his professional entourage to reinforce him in the sensitive negotiation of the installation. It's interesting that he speaks about the imperfection of nature once the piece is fully installed.

  • @DannoHung
    @DannoHung 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    For something that looks so unremarkable at first blush, it comes alive in quite a lovely way with the ebb and flow of the water.

  • @nosferatu9940
    @nosferatu9940 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    this is one of the most beautiful videos on youtube

  • @jerkq
    @jerkq 3 ปีที่แล้ว +14

    This is absolutely one of my favorite pieces in the Met. Thanks for this story about it!

    • @metmuseum
      @metmuseum  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thanks for your comment, glad you enjoyed!

  • @Automedon2
    @Automedon2 3 ปีที่แล้ว +16

    If I had that in my house, I would have no furniture - just this one incredible thing

    • @luciferslettuce
      @luciferslettuce 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Have you ever been to a house with very little or no furniture? Those people are always the weirdest, probably sleep without sheets on their beds! Lol

    • @MixMastaCopyCat
      @MixMastaCopyCat 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @guyontheblackchair On the floor by the rock I reckon

  • @digital_element
    @digital_element 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Sculptor: "And if you don't mind my taking some of these out..."
    Then he proceeds to empty the whole bag, lol.

  • @andrewb9302
    @andrewb9302 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Spends 7 hours getting one rock perfectly level. 2 seconds later, “imperfection is better than perfection”

  • @arymonem
    @arymonem 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Very cool! Simplicity is all I need.

  • @zacharywolter
    @zacharywolter 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    The originator of "Get on my level."

  • @62mer
    @62mer 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    This was such an interesting watch. Thank you for sharing!

  • @craigkeller
    @craigkeller 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Hypnotic. Beautiful.

  • @Michael62nyc
    @Michael62nyc 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I love this piece. Seek it out when you visit the Met.

  • @leonardoluc6362
    @leonardoluc6362 4 วันที่ผ่านมา

    The man Isamu Noguchi is a genius

  • @gerry343
    @gerry343 3 ปีที่แล้ว +80

    I think they should have had a few more people there to help with the installation.

    • @noordholland648
      @noordholland648 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Hey Gerry! where is your profile picture from?

    • @oliverkat
      @oliverkat 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@noordholland648 paint

    • @noordholland648
      @noordholland648 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@oliverkat que?

  • @iambrian769
    @iambrian769 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Very refreshing. Watching from the Caribbean 🇻🇨 5.26.21

  • @alternateVSNS
    @alternateVSNS 3 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    4:38 when Noguchi's glasses slipped out of his pocket ! a problem every person with glasses faces, even masters like him

  • @7777roxanne
    @7777roxanne 4 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    Beautiful and calming.

  • @anthonymorales842
    @anthonymorales842 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    That's one famous level now.

  • @richardlewin9282
    @richardlewin9282 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Beautiful

  • @theunknowngamer5477
    @theunknowngamer5477 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I remember seeing a sculpture of water, made from glass.
    The thing seemed to be around 3' square, mostly square.
    It represented the three physical/ molecular "kinds" OF
    water...liquid, solid and gas.
    Have I imagined this?

  • @ConstantThrowing
    @ConstantThrowing 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    We get it, sound mixer. The stones were loud.

    • @weezypeezy1725
      @weezypeezy1725 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Bro it was like the 70s-80s, there was barely any mixing

  • @ArtHistorywithAlder
    @ArtHistorywithAlder 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Cool, really interesting to see!

  • @keremkandemir7833
    @keremkandemir7833 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Adorable dedication...

  • @SpottedBullet
    @SpottedBullet 4 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    That was great, thanks!

  • @sharksport01
    @sharksport01 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I like his smooth organic work over the angular.

  • @FixedFace
    @FixedFace 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    "look im helping"
    half of the guys fumbling around

  • @johnjacop
    @johnjacop 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I mean you would think a 4 ft level would come in handy more to have it stretch across, but I guess the 2 ft level worked out fine in the end.

  • @masonreeves4775
    @masonreeves4775 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Perfectly balanced. Like all things should be.

  • @NoJusticeNoPeace
    @NoJusticeNoPeace 3 ปีที่แล้ว +36

    Wonder what he'd think of the creation process of telescopic mirrors spun to tolerances of a single molecule.

    • @ShredCo
      @ShredCo 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Meh.

  • @milenaflores1535
    @milenaflores1535 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Beautiful!

  • @thomaskuan4262
    @thomaskuan4262 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Imperfection is better than perfection. I wrote that in every exam I sat in. Now I m chiseling rocks in quarry for a living under falling rain.

  • @polyesterdreamboat
    @polyesterdreamboat 3 ปีที่แล้ว +22

    Ironically, this video was stressful to watch

    • @liammurphy2725
      @liammurphy2725 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Snowflake?

    • @jaketwigg1065
      @jaketwigg1065 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@liammurphy2725 I bet 100 dollars you like Joe Rogan

  • @milli2901
    @milli2901 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Amazing shots

  • @valuchinn
    @valuchinn 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Amazing!

  • @weezypeezy1725
    @weezypeezy1725 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I love this video is getting tons of views randomly today

  • @c.c.s.1102
    @c.c.s.1102 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I have never seen him in color his eyes are brilliant blue

  • @l3vin256
    @l3vin256 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I truly need to go to the cr after watching this

  • @dw6nvf
    @dw6nvf 3 ปีที่แล้ว +26

    He had a clear vision of his art unlike some other “artist” that share a vague vision and let their team do the rest

  • @sarcasmo57
    @sarcasmo57 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Cool birdbath.

  • @emresessiz1234
    @emresessiz1234 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Super 👏

  • @nelsonx5326
    @nelsonx5326 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Cool.

  • @thiscorrosion900
    @thiscorrosion900 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Just visited the Noguchi Museum last Wed. So, is the outdoor garden water stone a sister piece to this one? Also, how is the
    water reclaimed in the installation, by a basic recirc. pump/lift? There are also a few smaller stone pieces in the garden
    at the museum, with perfect circle openings cut in them to catch water, but, they aren't fountains, they just catch rain water.

  • @strangevisions5162
    @strangevisions5162 3 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    "A true master will expend no effort to accomplish goals"

    • @CountDoucheula
      @CountDoucheula 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Of course.
      You get 12 guys with a chain winch to expend the effort

    • @newrev9er
      @newrev9er 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I can't tell if you're calling the artist lazy, or if you don't understand the meaning of "expend."

  • @shilohstore6086
    @shilohstore6086 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This was a wonderful film about how they didn't have to worry about headphone users!

  • @TheSuperCommentGuy
    @TheSuperCommentGuy 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Oh yeah I saw this in the Met, cool to know the story behind it.

  • @troygaspard6732
    @troygaspard6732 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    The price of working with a genius.

  • @gvkl09palakkad
    @gvkl09palakkad 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Nice!

  • @rrsee-zk3zu
    @rrsee-zk3zu 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Wait I think we have this sculpture or similar to this in our office in Manila!

  • @TheBiggestMoronYouKnow
    @TheBiggestMoronYouKnow 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    That was a Naguchi coffee table!

  • @ArcadeReplay
    @ArcadeReplay 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Rock solid art

  • @marzdesign7562
    @marzdesign7562 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Beautifull. Very nice shots.

  • @TheSunshineGroup
    @TheSunshineGroup 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    6:30 "we can, but dont try to do too much, don't try to make it perfect"

  • @marcopaci1076
    @marcopaci1076 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    So spiritual.

  • @robertafierro5592
    @robertafierro5592 ปีที่แล้ว

    These people in the suits ought to stop arguing with the artist! He knows EXACTLY what he's doing!

  • @golgumbazguide...4113
    @golgumbazguide...4113 ปีที่แล้ว

    Explore Golgumbaz, Bijapur, South India 🇮🇳

  • @theunknown4209
    @theunknown4209 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    could they found a shorter level

  • @Cchogan
    @Cchogan 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Watching the water flow out with his little imperfections is a lovely, practical example of Choas Theory. (Is that still a thing?)

    • @pjacobsen1000
      @pjacobsen1000 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      I don't think Choas Theory is a thing, but Chaos Theory is.

    • @Cchogan
      @Cchogan 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@pjacobsen1000 - Ah, perhaps one is a chaotic variant of the other! Perhaps every time I type cohas theroy it will be different...

    • @pjacobsen1000
      @pjacobsen1000 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@Cchogan Don't be shoac'd when you get it right.

  • @arthurmorganclips6706
    @arthurmorganclips6706 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Trust the process

  • @papayaman78
    @papayaman78 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Looks like that old guy in the wheelchair from Breaking Bad. Lol

  • @sladeb6036
    @sladeb6036 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I like that.

  • @hikerjoe3773
    @hikerjoe3773 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Makes me want to go to the loo.
    For a number one and two.

  • @CyberBeep_kenshi
    @CyberBeep_kenshi 3 ปีที่แล้ว +17

    Well it's certainly a piece of rock

    • @DoctorSess
      @DoctorSess 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Yeah, real cool 🙄

  • @wnfernand
    @wnfernand 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Asymmetry rather than imperfection

  • @slimnooze
    @slimnooze 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    It happens the same whenever I forget to shut the bathtub faucet....

  • @kurtusky13
    @kurtusky13 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    You think they would use something a little larger than a 2 foot level

    • @edstud1
      @edstud1 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      And it looked like one from walmart!

  • @cptairwolf
    @cptairwolf 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Looks like the kind of centerpiece you'd find in a Hollywood villains lair lol

  • @shilohstore6086
    @shilohstore6086 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    3:25 this could have been a live performance installation of economic class

  • @saad3677
    @saad3677 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Hector Salamanca! 😂😂😂

  • @indaputindina5835
    @indaputindina5835 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Gravitograf*exelent

  • @BartWindrum
    @BartWindrum 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Interesting that they didn't use 3 levels concurrently.

  • @jkickass
    @jkickass 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    why didnt they use set screws

  • @dreamjackson5483
    @dreamjackson5483 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Got to take a whaz now

  • @jepanlife5627
    @jepanlife5627 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    or open the faucet a bit more to cover the imperfection lol

  • @thomasdykstra100
    @thomasdykstra100 ปีที่แล้ว

    "How many people does it take to 'set' a Noguchi fountain?" Anybody's guess...

  • @jackfrenchpresents
    @jackfrenchpresents 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Imagine taking in some dishwashing liquid and absolutely ruining that surface tension

    • @anikidwolfy
      @anikidwolfy 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      6 months later, needed reajustment.

  • @edwardssistershands
    @edwardssistershands 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    All that fuss and they are using a bubble level. Get an inclinometer ffs!

  • @karlallspach5309
    @karlallspach5309 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This would make a great Tik Tok.

  • @2FaceTube
    @2FaceTube 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    He made them move the rock 18 times to get it perfectly leveled and then, when that lady tells him that the water doesn't flow evenly in all directions he replied: ''don't try to make it all perfect, imperfection it's what's important''. x'DDDDD

  • @BigDaddyMacc
    @BigDaddyMacc 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    should add some flower

  • @jordanbrock8856
    @jordanbrock8856 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    No laser levels back then I guess

  • @kendousyounen
    @kendousyounen 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    イサムノグチが日本語喋るの初めてみたかも

  • @976charlie9
    @976charlie9 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Just shim it with a dam book and call it a day!

  • @panchovargas3398
    @panchovargas3398 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    But what was the ph tho? Lol

    • @metmuseum
      @metmuseum  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Lol, not sure.

  • @mariovelasquez
    @mariovelasquez 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Hermoso