THE EARTH IS A POLKA DOT Cinthia Gomez (Gunma) Art has a beautiful way of granting creators the opportunity to share their deepest emotions. It allows the artist to express themselves in a way which words won’t (suffice). The artist is someone who simply wishes to be understood. Nonagenarian Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama is a classic exemplar of this notion. You may know her as the old Japanese woman who wears red bob wigs and polka dot dresses or—you might more easily recognize her work. Surely you’re familiar with those spotted pumpkins? Or those selfies of people in the “infinity rooms” all over Instagram? This November I had the privilege and pleasure of visiting the Yayoi Kusama museum in Tokyo. Being a fervent admirer of her previous works, nothing less than a phenomenal experience was expected. The thin, white, five-story building stands tall in the western suburbs of Shinjuku and is a work of art in itself. Upon entering the polka dot-strewn lobby, the viewer
is invited into the mind of the artist by visually experiencing the same spotted hallucinations that frequented her life. Photography within the museum is forbidden with the exception of the fourth and fifth floor exhibitions, much to the dismay of avid social media enthusiasts like myself. However, I believe this implementation warrants the art to be properly viewed and appreciated in the moment. As Kusama is known for dabbling in a plethora of mediums, the museum is abounding with variety. Her various sculptures, paintings, and textile work grace each floor with their presence. The exhibition on display at the time was titled Spirits of Aggregation. This show, like many of Kusama’s works, delves into themes of multiples, patterns, obsessive compulsiveness, anxieties, immersion, and infinity. The first (but unofficial) installation is located in an unexpected but pleasantly surprising place—the elevator! The three walls and doorway are mirrors spangled in the artist’s classic red polka dotted motif.
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