The City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs has initiated the restoration of the Noguchi Playscapes, a sculptural playground installation located in Atlanta’s Piedmont Park. The Playscapes was designed by internationally renowned sculptor, designer, and architect Isamu Noguchi and completed in 1976.
In Phase One of the project, the Office of Cultural Affairs Public Art Program (OCA/PAP) hired Jablonski Berkowitz Conservation to assess the site and design a work plan for restoring the artwork. In Phase Two of the conservation project, the OCA/PAP secured the services of Donna Williams Conservation, a Los Angeles-based art conservation team to perform professional restoration of the Playscapes. The conservation team includes local architect Amy Landesberg, Pellegrom Construction, and sculptor Jeffry Loy. The work has begun and is scheduled for completion by mid-December of 2008.
The Office of Parks and the Office of Cultural Affairs are supporting this restoration project and the refurbishment of the grounds. The planning for the project took several years under the guidance of the Office of Cultural Affairs Public Art Program Manager Eddie Granderson and Office of Cultural Affairs Director Camille Russell Love.
On May 1, 1976, Playscapes was officially opened at Atlanta’s Piedmont Park. It is the only Playscapes of its kind by Noguchi in the continental United States and the City of Atlanta is fortunate to have an artwork from such a prominent internationally acclaimed contemporary artist.
“The Playscapes is a unique landmark in our city’s most prominent park. It is part playground and also qualifies as high art. After such a long planning phase, we are excited to embark on this historic restoration and bring the Noguchi Playscapes to its former glory for future generations to enjoy.”
Office of Cultural Affairs Director, Camille Russell Love
For more information, contact Office of Cultural Affairs Public Art Supervisor Robert Witherspoon at 404-817-6758.