I first heard about Yayoi Kusama's work from a recent show she had in New York of an all white room that would change over time as each person who entered would place a colorful circular sticker wherever they wanted. "How cool is that?" I thought. Art that changes over time. Art that isn't always only created by the artist but the viewers, too. I became intrigued and needed to know more.

I learned that Kusama has played with concept of infinity over many decades and through a range of media. The traveling exhibition marks the North American debut of numerous new works by the 88-year-old artist, who is still actively creating in her Tokyo studio. When I found out that the exhibit was traveling to LA, it was a must for an Oh Joy team Field Trip to The Broad museum to see the Yayoi Kusama exhibition…

Woven within the exhibit space were a collection of small rooms that allowed in two to four people at a time. In each of these rooms, you were only allowed to be in there for about thirty seconds to absorb the surrounding images, reflections, lights, and shapes that were created (often in repetition). They were simple and complicated all at the same time.

Kusama has a fascinating history of her life and hardships, and her work with repetition served as therapy for her in many ways. For a team that loves color as much as we do, it was a sight to be seen, a story to learn about, and pure inspiration to be had.

And then came my favorite room…the room that introduced me to her work in the first place. And, it was fun to welcome our newest Oh Joy team member, Nicole, with a visit to this amazing show! 

{Photos by Lily Glass}