Yayoi Kusama’s exhibit in Boston blew my mind
I took my daughter to the WNDR museum in Boston, which has many multi-sensory exhibits and was a fun way to spend a few hours. Near the end of our tour through the museum was Yayoi’s work (phew, I was worried it was not going to be there), “Let’s Survive Forever,” a permanent installation at the WNDR.
You can only spend one minute in the exhibit, which is kind of ironic. I think you’re supposed to see into infinity in the room of mirrors and mirror balls, but all I could think about was the artist. I may need to go back.
Yayoi is an art icon; she is also a feminist icon, and among the highest paid female artists of all time.
The exhibit was so compelling that my 12 year old wanted to listen to a podcast about her on our way home. You do walk away wanting to know who she is, and her life is equally as fascinating as her art.
She is best known for painting pumpkins, her infinity nets and the use of polka dots in her art. She was traditionally trained in Japan but broke away from traditional art, calling her art “Kusama art.”
The incredible thing about her art is that it is immersive and you feel like you are transported to her world. On the podcast, it is discussed how you are placed in the center of her art. I found this to be entirely true of my experience.
