It’s Your Last Chance to See Futura’s Graffiti-Clad Reinterpretation of the Famous Akari Lanterns

“On a personal note, not one to toot my horn, but it was a great moment,” the graffiti artist Futura says to AD. He’s speaking of the fact that earlier this year he staged his first New York solo show in 30 years at Eric Firestone Gallery while participating in a particularly special exhibition at the Noguchi Museum. Add in that he was the subject of a notable New York Times feature, and it’s clear that Futura’s career is taking off. “I’m going to be 66 this year. Maybe it’s finally happening [for me], which feels great.”

The Noguchi Museum show—which is in its home stretch and closes at the end of this weekend—will be of interest to design fans and graffiti buffs alike. For the effort, Futura painted a series of Isamu Noguchi’s famous Akari lanterns. He’s far from the first artist to undertake such a project, as Futura admits he was “relieved” to learn.

A lifelong New Yorker, Futura has also long been familiar with the Queens institution. But that intrinsic part of his identity also made him acutely aware of the pain that the city experienced over the past year-plus. “Obviously, it’s been very hard,” he comments of the pandemic. “I would say we’re coming out of it and it’s amazing, but it’s all been a little bit nuts.”

As for many artists, these last 13 months have meant that Futura has had a bit more time to spend in his studio, thanks to the cancellation of almost all travel. Recently, he’s been using that time to prep for an upcoming show in Japan. But the chance to collaborate with the Noguchi Museum still stands out as a precious opportunity. “I found out that Noguchi’s birthday is the same as mine, [which felt] kind of cosmic,” he notes. Later on, Futura says of the late, great Noguchi: “I hope he’s happy in a better place, looking down and thinking [of the show], Oh that’s great.”

Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest