Going to a New Art Exhibition

I have always had a preference for “cute” art. That’s not to say I don’t have an appreciation for classical paintings and styles. Since I live close to Washington DC, I am just a twenty minute car ride away from numerous national museums and galleries that display art from different countries and time periods. I have always liked going to them, but wished there were more spaces that celebrated the types of work I was more interested in. Over the summer, I had my first experience with going to an exhibit I was eager to see: Yoshitomo Nara at the LACMA. I had seen many of his works online and couldn’t wait to see them in person. Upon entering the exhibition, I was amazed by the scale of the pieces. In the center of the room was a large white teacup holding four little figures that appeared to be tearful children. Looking around, I was so excited to see the minimal subjects scattered around the walls. It was refreshing to see traditional pieces that leaned towards a more simplistic style in a museum, that wasn’t abstract in subject matter. For so long, I would see my teachers and other individuals condemn these simplistic and “cute” styles and yet here these pieces were, being displayed in all their cute and impactful grandeur.