Yayoi Kusama's Infinity Mirrors exhibit - its wonderful

“Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors” 

at the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington, D.C.

Ms. Kusama is often described as Japan’s most successful living artist.  At 87, Yayoi Kusama is an internationally renowned artist.  She currently has 2 major exhibitions in the US and Japan, but says she’s not done yet.   (Photo from the Washington Post)

Check out this Washington Post video to get a glimpse of the exhibit.    

I've always been fascinated with infinity mirrors and was looking forward to going to the Kusama exhibit (if I could get a coveted ticket). I was very excited when a friend (thank you Karen) asked me if I wanted a ticket to the exhibit. 

If you are planning to go, you can get tickets online (best way).  You might be able to get yours at the walk up window if you go early on a weekday .  You will have to come back later at the allotted time on the ticket.  

I was really happy they have timed tickets for this exhibit, otherwise you'd be standing out in the cold for hours, and that would be before you stood online inside.  Be prepared...it takes a long time get through the exhibit.  Why?  There's lots to see, plus the 6 mirrored rooms are very small.  You go in each room and basically stand still enjoying being surrounded by lights and shapes.  Only 2-3 people go in the rooms at a time for 20 seconds and 20 seconds only.   The guards time it. Sounds like a very short time, but it is just enough time to enjoy it (and make you want to come back another day.)  Everyone is told by the guards to get your cameras/phones out and at the ready.  You can see everything in 20 seconds if you aren't fooling around with your camera.   At only 20 seconds, that still means it takes a minute for 7-9 people to go into each exhibit so the lines are long.  The wonderful thing is chatting with your line-mates.  I was practically best friends with 2 lovely ladies I walked and talked with by the time I came to the end.  Unfortunately, I had to rush through the last room because I hadn't realized how long it would take and my meter was running out.  I thought 2 hrs would be plenty!!

Everyone was very patient and time passed quickly, but if you plan to go you should know that it will take you at least 1 1/2 to get through the exhibit.  So metro is a good alternative. 

This picture from "Arts & Design" of the illuminated pumpkin sculptures and mirrors

is what I might have seen if it hadn’t been closed for repairs!

You may have read one of the pumpkins was stepped on and broken by a guest just after the opening.  Unfortunately that caused the exhibit to be closed the day I was there.    There is speculation that someone stepped on it while taking a selfie.  Not a good thing if they had to pay for damages.  One recently sold for $800,00.00! 

The last room you go through before you exit started as a large plain white room.  They give all the guests sheets of polka dots before you enter the room and tell you to stick them anywhere you can reach in the room.  I was there on the 4th day it was open and already the room was taking on a wonderful look with colored dots everywhere. I can't imagine what it will look like by the time it closes in May. I'm sure all the white will be gone.  

Go and enjoy if you get the chance.