Yayoi Kusama's “Queen of Polkadots” New Exhibition at Hirshhorn Museum

Yayoi Kusama's presence at the Hirshhorn Museum and sculpture garden has been long-awaited. Originally, this exhibition opened four years ago but had to postpone due to the pandemic which caused the museum to be closed to the public. The purpose of holding this small exhibition is as part of his life and legacy, so this exhibition invites visitors to immerse themselves in the polka-dotted and psychedelic world of Yayoi.

(Yayoi Kusama holds her latest exhibition at the Hirshhorn Museum)

“One with Eternity” is the concept promoted in this exhibition, with the aim of exploring the career journey of this visionary artist through the lens of his five artworks in the collection of the Hirshhorn Museum. Two examples of the works on display are the Infinity Mirror Room which was recently acquired by the museum. Hirshhorn made acquisitions for Yayoi Kusama's two works entitled “Field of Phalli” (1965) and “My Heart Dancing to the Universe” (2018).

(Even though she was old, Yayoi Kusama still works)

This exhibition creates a spectacle like in space that never ends. These stunning rooms are characterized by endless reflections and incandescent lights, which create the illusion of infinity. Through this illusion space, visitors can observe paintings, pumpkin sculptures (2016), flower coats (1964), and artist photos.

(Yayoi Kusama Pumpkin, 2016, at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. Photo by Cathy Carver)

(Yayoi Kusama's ‘Infinity Mirror Rooms' Returns to Hirshhorn Museum)

In practice, Yayoi Kusama's latest exhibition “Infinity Mirrors in 2017” was able to attract nearly one million visitors to the DC Museum. This broke the record for the largest visitor attendance at the entire exhibition since the museum opened in 1974. Kusama's works have inspired the whole world and even the virtual world (social media) with her polka dots trademark.