Video | Yayoi Kusama | Infinity Mirrors

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This month, IDSL visited Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washinton, D.C. The show ends May 14 and will go on to Seattle. Here are a few observations:

I love seeing the lines, snaking out the door and around the museum. It shows how much people are still really interested in artistic experiences.

Some of Yayoi Kusama’s work acts as self-therapy as she tries to resolve her anxieties around sex. Many soft sculptures represent phallic symbols, though another guest and I thought they represented something soft and gentle like sea creatures.

The show understands the economy of scale. Installations that look like they’re in huge lofts that go on forever are in tiny boxes only big enough for 1-3 people.

A couple of days ago, someone accidentally broke one of the pumpkins featured in All the Eternal Love I Have for the Pumpkins, urging visitors to be more cautious. But luckily the line was much shorter, so I took advantage of being in it by myself.

The interior of Love Transformed Into Dots is an artistic interpretation of subatomic particles.

The collection of Kusama’s paintings and sculptures are my favorite part of the exhibit. It reflects her early work as a painter reflecting on life and death, with improved technique.

Before everyone leaves, they get a random set of 6 polka dot stickers that go in the final room, The Obliteration Room, part of an ongoing partnership with Queensland Art Gallery.

Thank you to Yayoi Kusama for sharing your stories, vision, and experience. Thank you to the Hirshhorn curators and staff for being patient and helpful with this very popular exhibit.