Artbeat: Yayoi Kusama’s ‘I Who Have Arrived in Heaven’

It’s that time of year again — art season! With so many openings and events going on throughout last week, I could not attend all but I made sure to check out one of the most magical: Yayoi Kusama’s latest exhibit I Who Have Arrived In Heaven.

Showcased at all three of David Zwirner’s 19th Street galleries in NYC, I Who Have Arrived In Heaven, which opened Friday Nov. 8,  illustrates Kusama’s perception of the eternity and finiteness of life and death. The exhibit includes over thirty new large-scale paintings of her signature pop graphics alongside a recent video installation and two mirrored infinity rooms.

Because it was opening night, the line for the infinity rooms were pretty much infinite. Luckily, I got to view one of them, Love Is Calling. The experience was so trippy. Love Is Calling is acclaimed as one of Kusama’s “most immersive, kaleidoscopic environment to date.” The all-over mirrored room  created the illusion of an infinite space.  The small and dark cubed room was illuminated by colorful wild tentacle-like fixtures, covered in Kusama’s iconic polka dot prints.  Through a mirrored door, I was lead into another mirrored room which displayed the video installation, Manhattan Suicide Addict.  In the video, the legendary artist performs an original poem about how the present is never-ending (powerful stuff).  From what I heard, the other infinity room is just as trippy and mind-blowing as the other interactive visuals.

Infinite line to the Infinity Room.

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The woman of the hour did make an appearance and art crowd went nuts. The adorable Kusama wore a bring red wig with a matching red, black and white polka dot outfit. Her team rolled her out in her wheelchair as the artist signed autographs and viewed her work among the fans. 

On the eve of her opening night, Kusama shared words to the press on her latest works. Below are some of the most inspiring quotes I’ve ever read (found via ArtInfo):

— “In recent years, the world has been full of suffering and a lot of turmoil. When I contemplate the world today, all the more, I think about the role of the artist. As an artist, I think what I can share is love and peace. I would like to work with you together to make that happen, to give the joy of the art and love and peace to people who are suffering.”

— “Since childhood, I’ve been in a very difficult environment and a lot of hardship and I’ve had to overcome all of that to create my whole new worldview. At this late time in my life, I am using all of my artwork and creativity. Every day I am working at creating art sometimes until 3am. I am fighting for my life.”

— “I live in an institution and today I come to you from that institution and the doctor made me carry with me, the pills. But I do think as a I approach the end of my life and I glimpse death I think I will be able to, in the end, rise above the clouds and climb the stairs to heaven and look down on my glorious life.”

I encourage you to please go check out this amazing exhibit. Yayoi Kusama is the epitome of a true legend and visionary. To be 84 years old and still be inspired — it’s beautiful. I hope to still be as passionate about what I love to do in the many years to come.