R. Buckminster Fuller and Isamu Noguchi

executed by Isamu Noguchi, painted by R. Buckminster Fuller

H. J. Barrett
Thence by Descent

Isamu Noguchi, "Colloidals in Time," Shelter, November 1932, p. 111
William Marlin, "The Evolution and Impact of a Teacher" The Architectural Forum, January/February 1972, pp. 59, 69-70 (for an essay by Noguchi; drawings and photographs of the "Dymaxion" cars)
Nancy Princenthal, "The Future, As it Was," Art in America, December 2006, p. 66 (for the realized "Dymaxion" car)

Overall very good original condition. The model with some minor wear, surface dirt, scratches, discoloration, pitting and chips to the painted surface as seen in the catalogue illustration. With wear and losses to black painted wheels on the under body (not seen in the catalogue photographs) revealing the white plaster, which appears consistent with age and handling. Some of the decorative elements with rubbing and wear which make the "4D" on the proper right side difficult to read. With a very minor hairline crack to the body one inch forward from the rear wheel. This crack extends over the top portion of the body and extends ½ inch on either side. This crack is extremely minor and it does not detract from the overall appearance of the piece. It appears stable and is consistent with the gypsum material used for the model. There appears to be two coats of red paint to the body, which are both original. The layers of white and tan paints used to render the windows with rubbing, discoloration and losses as seen in the catalogue illustrations. One chip to the plaster to the interior of the open seating area, as seen in the catalogue illustration. The lower half of the rear wheel is the only unpainted element on the model and therefore shows the gypsum used to render the model. The period paper label to the underside was likely applied by the previous owner, and reads "Model of/ Dymaxion Auto by/Noguchi. Auto evolved/ by Buckminster Fuller/ and Stanley Burgess/ about 1935".
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

In 1929, Buckminster Fuller was introduced to an artist who shared his own mania for "comprehensivity": Isamu Noguchi.  Their first meeting at Romany Marie's Tavern in New York City was a transformative experience for both men.  Noguchi had just returned from studying in Europe on a Guggenheim fellowship, where he worked alongside Constantin Brancusi.  For hours Noguchi would listen to Fuller's  orations at the tavern on the utopian possibilities of technology revolving around his "Dymaxion" house and automobile. 

In later years, Fuller recalled that the aim of the "Dymaxion" transport project was "to develop an omni-medium transport vehicle to function in the sky, in negotiable terrain, or on water." (Pawley, p. 57).   Using existing Ford Motor engines, Fuller postulated that by taking the conceptual basis of an airplane and applying the principles of wind resistance and the aerodynamic shape of fish, he could develop a new concept of the automobile.  The word "Dymaxion" as an amalgamation of the words dynamism, maximum and ions, represented the energy that Fuller felt could be harnessed and used to advance the current simplistic concept of land transport.

Fuller originally sketched his stylized vehicle in 1927 and in 1932 looked to his friend, Noguchi, to sculpt the three-wheel model for the "Dymaxion" car based on these early drawings.  The models were later painted by Fuller.

In 1932, using funds raised by liquidating his insurance policy, Fuller purchased T-Square magazine, and transformed it into Shelter, where he served as both its editor and owner.  In the November 1932 issue, with Noguchi's winged sculpture "Miss Expanding Universe" on the cover, an article likely authored by Fuller, entitled "Streamlining" outlined the theoretical premise of "Dymaxion" transport and included photographs of the models.

In the full-scale prototypes, Fuller abandoned the multi-terrain concept and sought to maximize the efficiency of existing technology, using rear wheel steering and aerodynamic shaping.  The three realized "Dymaxion" cars were plagued by bad press following a fatal driving accident at the 1933 World's Fair debut and the project was abandoned.

The present lot is the only known surviving "Dymaxion" model executed by Noguchi, and until recently all were believed to have been lost.  The model was in the collection of H.J. Barrett, an avid art collector and acquaintance of Buckminster Fuller.

Sotheby's would like to thank Deborah Goldberg for her assistance in cataloguing this lot.