Page 32 - ARUBA TODAY

A32 FEATURE
Monday 11 deceMber 2017
At Yayoi Kusama show, a long wait to experience infinity

By JOCELYN NOVECK
AP National Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — If you
want to experience infin-
ity, you’re going to have to
wait a long time.
On a recent Saturday, the
line to see Japanese artist
Yayoi Kusama’s new Infin-
ity Mirror Rooms stretched
all the way around a Man-
hattan city block, the end
of the line even meeting up
with the beginning at the
entrance to David Zwirner
Gallery, and the wait as
long as six hours.
Some 5,000 people came
through that day, the gal-
lery says, the busiest day
yet for the exhibit, and yet
more proof — if it were
needed — of the mas-
sive popularity of Kusama,
who’s been described as
the top-selling living female People view a polka-dotted room created by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, part of the exhibit, “Yayoi Kusama: Festival of Life,” on
display at the David Zwirner gallery in the Chelsea section of New York. The exhibit runs through Dec. 16.
artist. Among the 5,000 was (AP Photo/Jocelyn Noveck)
not, however, Alla Kondrat-
eva. The 27-year-old New rored orbs, some hanging will go through two color recently in the center of the San Antonio, Texas, said
Yorker took one look at the from the ceiling, some at- changes as you view them. very photogenic room, tak- she found the paintings
line and gave up, returning tached to the floor. In the You get 30 seconds in that ing selfies. She, too, said the fascinating as a onetime
on a chilly weekday a few middle of the room, one room. (One couple got en- wait — just under two hours science major, because
days later when the wait peeks into a box that splits gaged early this week in an that morning — was worth some design patterns “look
was much shorter. She was images, well, infinitesimally. Infinity Room, the gallery it. “It’s really special to see like the anatomy of a cell.”
happy she returned. The room is ideal for selfie- says; presumably, they got a lot of her work at once, The Chelsea show closes
“She’s really quirky,” Kon- takers; there seems to be a bit more time.) having the context,” said December 16; a concur-
drateva said of the 88-year- no angle from which you After the Infinity Rooms, the former art history major rent show of Kusama’s “In-
old artist. Her work, she said, cannot see yourself — and you’re led — white booties who now works in market- finity Nets” paintings at the
“is interactive, and it just your smartphone. on your feet — into “With All ing. “Rather than seeing gallery’s Upper East Side
draws people in — her style In the second room, “Long- My Love for the Tulips, I Pray one or two pieces, as you location runs until Decem-
is just out there, eccentric.” ing for Eternity,” one peers Forever,” an earlier Kusama would in a museum.” ber 22. In a video message
Like many who have through round holes into a work appearing for the first In another room hang some accompanying the show,
passed through the gallery mirrored box, witnessing a time outside Asia. The entire 66 of the artist’s brightly col- Kusama — in a bright red
since the exhibit opened at light show with constantly room is white and covered ored paintings from her “My wig — says that if her art
the beginning of Novem- changing colors. The view with Kusama’s signature Eternal Soul” series, accom- “can inspire a deep love
ber, Kondrateva had seen below appears infinite. It’s red polka dots, with huge panied by a set of new and of humanity and acknowl-
Kusama’s work on Insta- hard to take a selfie, but sculptures of tulips (also shiny floral sculptures. One edge the amazingness of
gram, where the artist is a if you have that live-pho- white with red dots.) visitor, Mahera Jeevanjee, who we are, I will be very
presence. Her famous Infin- to function, your photos Colleen Murphy, 23, stood a physical therapist from happy.” “I am determined
ity Mirror Rooms — two new to continue to grow as an
ones are being debuted at artist who can give hope
the current exhibit, called and power to society,” says
“Festival of Life” — are per- the artist, who has a history
fect for selfies. Hardly any- of neurosis and channels
one leaves without one, or hallucinations into her work.
two, or 26. But Kondrateva “I want to accomplish work
said she tried to limit the that leads to world peace
impulse: “I feel like it kind of and the empowerment of
takes away from the whole our collective future. I will
experience because you’re continue to fight this battle
not experiencing the art, and I invite you to fight it
you’re spending the whole with me.” Have some ex-
time on your phone.” And tra cash? Except for some
that time isn’t very long. paintings on loan, the
After the lengthy wait out- works are for sale — even
side, visitors get one minute the Infinity Mirror Rooms,
— yes, 60 seconds — in the though the gallery would
first Infinity Room, called not give prices on those,
“Let’s Survive Forever,” a nor say how many editions
mirror-lined space in which A large-scale flower sculpture created by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, part of the exhibit, would be available. As for
“Yayoi Kusama: Festival of Life,” is displayed at the David Zwirner gallery in the Chelsea section of
only four to six people can New York. The exhibit runs through Dec. 16. the paintings, they’re listed
fit amid a slew of shiny mir- (AP Photo/Jocelyn Noveck) for under $1 million.q