(La Porte, IN) - As the new library reading garden neared completion in downtown La Porte, a Neolithic-looking feature popped up on the corner of Indiana Avenue and Harrison Street. Some have called it La Porte’s Stonehenge. Actually it’s artwork inspired by a world-renowned modern artist who got his start in La Porte County.
Isamu Noguchi graduated from La Porte High School in 1922. From here, he went on to become one of the leading American artists of the 20th Century. Noguchi, who now has a museum dedicated to his work in New York City, was known for his use of natural materials like wood and stone.
Recently, when the library replaced its front steps, it found itself with a pile of granite. Library director Fonda Owens says the slabs, turned on their sides, made for a perfect art installation, the likes of which Noguchi might have made. “We just thought, how can we reuse a part of the material to create something nice for the garden?” said Owens. “I really like that connection. It is important to retain that history when you can.”
According to Owens, history has been preserved in other library branches as they’ve been remodeled or rebuilt in recent years. For example, pieces of the church that the Rolling Prairie branch used to call home are displayed in the new facility.
The library is sponsoring its second annual high school art contest in honor of Isamu Noguchi. On Wednesday evening at main branch, winners will be announced. The art projects are currently on display inside. And you can see the new granite artwork outside in the reading garden.
