“Forget yourself. Become one with eternity. Become part of your environment.” ~ Yayoi Kusama
If you don’t know who Yayoi Kusama is, you should google her up. She is one of the most celebrated living Avant-garde Japanese female artist of the century. At the age of 88 she is still producing large scale exhibits and living life everyday to the fullest. “I wanted to start a revolution, using art to build the sort of society I myself envisioned” said Kusama, and what a revolution she has created. I have the opportunity to see her exhibition at The Broad Museum, one of my favorite museums in Los Angeles and I previously covered Here and I want to share some of her work as well as my thoughts on them.
The Sold Out exhibition included six kaleidoscopic “Infinity Mirror Rooms,”which are small box-shaped spaces that combine mirrors and lights to stunning effect as well as 60 paintings and sculptures and archived photos documenting Kusama’s life in New York in the 1960s. At first glance, these colorful and seemingly easy to replicate mirror rooms seem tailor-made for the attention thirsty age of social media. However Kusama’s Phalli’s Field, a room filled with stuffed, tentacle-like white sculptures decorated with red polka dots first debuted in 1965, way before Internet was even a thing.
“I, Kusama, am the modern Alice in Wonderland.” ~ Yayoi Kusama
These rooms are awe-inspiring and often perceived as “mind-bending” because her art is inspired by her own struggle with mental disorder and hallucinations. “My art originates from hallucinations only I can see. I translate the hallucinations and obsessional images that plague me into sculptures and paintings. All my works in pastels are the products of obsessional neurosis and are therefore inextricably connected to my disease”,…”If it were not for art, I would have killed myself a long time ago.” Stepping into any of her mirrored rooms, I can instantly feel Kusama’s intention to make me ponder on my own insignificance in vast universe she created with lights and illusion.
Unfortunately given the crowd that the exhibit has drawn, everyone is ushered through each room with only 30 second window to reflect, take photos and admire. I felt stressed and pressured because the time simply isn’t enough to really admire the artist’s full work before we are funneled through the next part of the exhibit. But my desire to capture that moment on my smartphone has served me a disservice and disconnected me from that experience and connection I truly wanted. I wanted more time, I wanted to be Alice immersed in Kusama’s mirrored wonderlands and reflect on the mysterious beauty of infinity.
“I am just another dot in the world.” ~ Yayoi Kusama
The grand finale of the exhibit is The Obliteration Room, an all white space that visitors are invited to cover with colored polka dot stickers, transforming it over the course of the exhibition. The white room which serves as the blank canvas, gradually obliterated over time and changing measurably as the dots accumulate as a result of tens of thousands of collaborators. An disarmingly simple composition brilliantly exploits the framework of its presentation. We the viewer of the exhibit become the active participant, the artist, and creator. There was a time-lapse from her prior exhibit in May at the Hirshhorn Museum which documented 750,000 dots being placed in the room and it was quite interesting to see.
My overall impression of the exhibit is my immense admiration for the artist who is able to overcome significant mental disorder and transcend her illness into beautiful works of art. I salute to her intensity and dedication to her work, her ability to create something simple yet infinitive. I am slightly ashamed that I had taken all the time trying to perfect that Instagrammable photo and forgotten to truly just be present, in the moment with her art. If there is a second time around, I would have put my phone away, enjoy every 30 seconds in each of the rooms, appreciating, admiring and reflecting.
This is such a neat exhibit! Really a once in a lifetime experience. I think my favorite is the colorful dot room!
http://www.mylittlenest.org
Bloggers backdrop dream! I love it all! You did so well with a 30 second window too xx
I love everything about this Sheree! The art is breathtaking and the fact that the artist is still producing such beauty at 88 and has done so while battling mental illness makes it all the more beautiful!
Debbie
http://www.fashionfairydust.com
Wow thanks for sharing about this artist, she work is absolutely incredible and I would love to see her exhibits!! Perfect places for pics too!
Thanks for hosting:)
Marta
http://www.sweatersstripesandsweets.com
Her art is fantastic and just makes me happy looking at it! These pics and your looks are fabulous with them. Thanks so much for the link up!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
She truly is a fascinating artist and woman. I read an article recently about her that made me an instant fan! What an amazing experience to be able to see her work in person. Absolutely breathtaking!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
This is such a cool exhibit!!!! Love the twinkly lights!!!
Wow! What an incredible experience. These photos are so amazing, I can’t even imagine what it was like to experience this.
What an amazing post!!! Fabulous!
Omg everything about this is so cool! I have never seen this artwork before but it’s amazing how you basically get to be a part of it. Looks awesome!
http://www.meghanlaurie.com
I’ve seen both her exhibits while in Japan and Singapore – definitely worth the trip!
Liz @ ShoppingMyCloset.com
This is truly amazing! I love how Yayoi describes herself as a modern Alice in Wonderland and how she uses art so majestically. You look as gorgeous as the art Sheree ! My goodness! I love these festive outfits. You really captured the essence of the artwork of Yayoi Kusama in a beautiful way!
What an amazing exhibit, I hope I get there to see it before it leaves! You look amazing as always, I especially love the polka dot art with your outfit..superb!
xo
Valerie
I can’t believe I’ve never heard of Yayoi Kusama! She’s definitely a person I need to look up; she has such a creative flair for decorating! One thing I wouldn’t like is being rushed through the exhibit. It’s too beautiful not to be able to enjoy longer! Glad you were able to get some nice pics, nonetheless!
Beautiful, fresh and contemporary modern. Don’t seems she have 88 years . She’s spirit is forever.
Thanks to share your museum posts.
Xx
Eva
http://www.themermaidfashion.com
OMG this place is so dang cute, loving all the colors. Also, your photos are so cute.
@rachelvogttrends
http://rachelvogttrends.com
Such amazing art! What a beautiful place!
What an incredible exhibit. You must have been blown away with her creativity and what a backdrop for your photos. My favorite is the Obliteration Room, Great post.
Xxgracie
snappedbygracie.com
I have seen photos of this on various IG accounts, but love learning more. So cool!
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
Yayoi Kusama is an incredible artist! These exhibits are wonderful. Thank you for this beautiful review. All of it is just amazing. Hopefully you can go back to take it all in without the pressure to capture it on your phone. Xoxo
Omg this looks amazing!! I woild Love to visit this exhibit! It looks so creative and fun! You took the best pictures! And that picture with all of the sparkles is the best ever. It’s so magical!
Oh my goodness! How inspiring?!!! I love that she’s 88 and still produces what she loves – not what’s trendy or what everyone wants. The polka dot figures are my favourite!!!
Tatyana x
This exhibit is so amazing- all the colors and lights, wow! Great post, babe!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
Yayoi is one of my favorite artists, and seeing this exhibit explains why! So wishing I can visit! x
I love the Broad and it is one of my favorite museums to visit. I’ve been there three times already and it never gets old. That being said, I still haven’t been to the Infinity Room and haven’t seen this recent exhibition. What an amazing display of work! Her work is definitely recognized everywhere and I love all the fun pictures you were able to capture. It is so stressful to try and get a photo in 30 seconds, but you did it babe! I also love the red slip dress you wore which matches so well with the exhibits and colors. I want to go and see this before it closes! xoxo, Christine
http://dailykongfidence.com/
First Time I hear of Yayoi Kusama. All her works are very playful, fun and full of inspiration. You compliment so beautifully the backdrop and I love all your outfits. Thank you for sharing inspiration babe!!!
Happy Weekend! xx. Gina
Hey Darling:)
How are you?
What an Amazing Exhibit, Love her work so much, so Talented:)
Love art so much and your Photos just stunning:) Like a Dream:)
Happy Weekend
Love,Kisses Karina
I loved the Yayoi Kusama exhibit both in Copenhagen and Stockholm and it’s the most Instagrammable exhit so far!!! 🙂
Thomas xx
What a fun experience! All the rooms look like so much fun, but my favorite one was the colorful one, you look so cute by the way.
Xo,
Gabriela Vera
http://www.gverastyle.blogspot.com
That’s so awesome you visited her exhibition at the Broad! I’m a bit embarrassed for admitting I haven’t been to her exhibitions yet but I do plan to if she does another one! Looks amazing 🙂
xo Samantha
I actually love how eclectic and weird Yayoi is and I still remember how much I loved her collection with Louis Vuitton all those years back! I just wish I could’ve afforded to get a piece from it then.
The exhibition looks like my HEAVEN – look at all that freaking colour!!! I’m seeing heart emojis in my eyes right now.
Helen xx
What a fun exhibit – it looks like Insta heaven! I don’t know how you can do each room so quickly. It takes 30 seconds just to get a good shot – forget having a moment to soak it all in. Love all your colorful pics!
XO
http://www.lehoarder.com/
Omg, I love her art and different view of the world. I am so jealous that you got to see the exhibition, every time when we move to other country, I feel like I miss my chance to see. Why they didn’t have the exhibition in 2016 (cry face)?! In love with your red dress!
http://www.queenhorsfall.com/
My favourite room has definitely have to be the colourful room! Your shots turned out amazing. Love the post <3
Sweet as Fiction
http://www.sweetasfiction.com
Yayoi Kusama collection is the playground for both adults and kids! It’s so pretty and creative! I would love to check it out one day and take amazing photos with the collections like you did!! Love your outfit too babe!
xx, Jessie
http://4evajessie.com/all-eyes-on-the-history-whoo/
I saw this post on your Instagram! I love the Broad Museum and the Yayoi Kusama exhibit gives me a reason to go back! One of my favorite art quotes is, “Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.” Her work really reminds me of this. There is so much to think about, but you also get lost in her art. The Kusama’s Phalli’s Field looks so cool!
Thanks for sharing!
XO
Tandya
http://www.simplytandya.com
I’ve heard a lot about her, and I really respect her art and her lust for life. She’s definitely Alice from Wonderland, and I absolutely adore her. You’re so lucky to have a chance to see all her masterpieces, it’s absolutely magical!
Cheers, Eliza | http://www.fashion-confession.com
What a powerful story. I love when people use their disadvantages and turn them into something beautiful for others to connect with. Kusama’s art is just so vibrant, otherworldly, youthful, and enchanting. I wish you had longer than 30 seconds to really admire and soak in her work!
Oh my god, I have seen some images from this place on Instagram and the exhibit is so cool! My favorite room is the mirror room with all the mushroom like items!! I definitely need to get down there soon!
Love and light, Sofia
http://aloveaffairblog.com
It’s good to hear another review of this exhibit at the Broad Museum. The other review I read was similar to yours in being let down because of the time frame that you were ushered through and they didn’t think it was worth it. I love that you gave us some deeper background about Yayoi Kusama. Understanding that she was able to take her mental illness and process through art creating beautiful works is so inspirational! It really does feel very much like Alice. I also love that there was an interactive room to add the dots! Really spectacular!
Manda | http://EvocativelyChosen.com
This exhibition is literally jaw dropping! I’m looking at the pics wishing I could get inside the screen, it looks so magical.
Now they only have to bring it to London to make me the happiest girl! 🙂
x
Massiel