ART IS......... (Part 2)

A week after visiting the KAWS and Maurice Renoma exhibits I went to the I Who Have Arrived In Heaven exhibit by Yayoi Kusama.  Since I was off for the day I figured I get up early and head down to David Zwirner gallery and beat the crowd.  Well, I wasn't the only one with that idea.  The gallery opened at 10am and I arrived around 10:40am.  As I crossed the street to the gallery I could see about 70 people already on line.  I was not prepared for that.

The crowd

It was cold, windy and rainy three elements I hate, but I was determined to see the exhibit.  Besides, that was the only day I was able to check it out before it was over.  So I braved the unflaterring weather and waited for my girl Berry (Veronica Vain of Weighting In Vain) to arrive.  As I stood on the line I saw couple after couple leave the gallery in awe.  Their smiles, and whispers really got me excited.  In a way it took my mind off of how slow the line was moving.

I noticed that some visitors were bypassing the line that led to the Infinity Mirrored Room and were going through a side door.  Once Berry showed up I suggested she go see what was through that side door while I held our spot.  It turned out that the side door led to another one of Yayoi's art instillation titled Love is Calling.  She came back minutes later with a big smile on her face.  I was up next.  Myself and 9 other people were lined up and instructed to put on a pair of disposable shoe covers, leave our bags to the side, not to touch anything as we enter the room and that all we had was one minute.   Mirrors aligned the walls, ceiling and floor.  Big neon spotted abstract objects sprouted from the floor and the ceiling.  It was a magnificent, eye popping sight.  Once the minute was up a hidden door opened on the other side of the room and we were escorted out.

Art lovers

Love is Calling
wood, metal, glass mirrors, acrylic panels, rubber, tile, blowers, lighting elements, speakers and sound.

In Yayoi's word 

Once I got back on line Berry left and went to work.  In total, it took me 2 1/2 hours to finally get inside the gallery and lay my eyes on Yayoi's star gazing masterpiece the Infinity Mirrored Room - The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away.  We were allowed 45 seconds to take in the piece.  One by one we were led inside a small mirrored room, full of hanging LED lights hung at various heights flickering and pulsing.  The floor was merely a short narrow ledge surrounded by a shallow reflecting pool.  All of the elements gave illusion as if I was millions of light years away.  As if I was at the Planetarium sitting back looking at the celestial formation.  It was breathtaking, uplifting, magical and well worth the 2 1/2 hours.

Light years away

Twinkle twinkle little bulb

Starlight selfie

After being blown away by the Infinity Mirror Room I walked around the gallery to view some of Yayoi's paintings. 

A portrait of the artist taken in one of her New York studios - 1970

A few of Yayoi's books

Additional Information:

• For more on Yayoi Kusama and her work check out her website www.yayoi-kusama.jp
• Take some time out of your busy schedules and visit the David Zwirner gallery.  There's no telling what you'll walk into.  

          David Zwirner gallery

          519, 525 & 533 West 19th Street
             New York, NY 10011
             t: 212.727.2070
             f: 212.727.2072 
             Tuesday - Saturday, 10AM - 6PM


              537 West 20th Street
              New York, NY 10011
              t: 212.517.8677
              f: 212.517.8959
              Tuesday - Saturday, 10AM - 6PM