Kikuo Saito, Abstract Painter and Theater Designer, Dies at 76
Kikuo Saito, an innovative theater designer and abstract painter, died on February 15, 2016. He was born in Tokyo in 1939 and relocated to New York in 1966, where he served as a studio assistant to notable artists such as Larry Poons, Kenneth Noland, and Helen Frankenthaler. His theatrical contributions, drawing inspiration from Japanese Kabuki and Noh, included collaborations with Robert Wilson and set designs for Peter Brook's "Conference of the Birds," showcased at La Mama and the Festival of Two Worlds. Saito concentrated on painting, creating a distinctive Color Field abstraction, with works housed in institutions like the Museum of Modern Art. He returned to theater briefly in 1996 and taught at Musashino Art University and the Art Students League. He is survived by his wife, Mikiko Ino.
Key facts
- Kikuo Saito died on February 15, 2016
- He was born in Tokyo in 1939 and moved to New York in 1966
- Saito worked as a studio assistant for Larry Poons, Kenneth Noland, and Helen Frankenthaler
- He designed theater and dance sets internationally until 1979, using water and untraditional materials
- Saito collaborated with Robert Wilson in Shiraz, Iran, and Paris, and designed for Peter Brook's "Conference of the Birds" in Paris
- His paintings are in collections of the Museum of Modern Art, Whitney Museum of American Art, and Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum
- In 1996, he created "Toy Garden" at Duke University with his wife Eva Maier, inspired by Vittore Carpaccio's painting
- Saito taught at Musashino Art University in Tokyo and the Art Students League until weeks before his death
Entities
Artists
- Kikuo Saito
- Larry Poons
- Kenneth Noland
- Helen Frankenthaler
- Robert Wilson
- Peter Brook
- Jerome Robbins
- Eva Maier
- Vittore Carpaccio
- John Ruskin
Institutions
- Museum of Modern Art
- Whitney Museum of American Art
- Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum
- La Mama
- Festival of Two Worlds
- Duke University
- La Guardia High School of Music, Art, and Performing Arts
- Musashino Art University
- Art Students League
Locations
- Tokyo
- Japan
- New York
- United States
- Spoleto
- Italy
- Shiraz
- Iran
- Paris
- France
- Venice