It’s Friday at 9:30 AM and probably around 30 degrees Fahrenheit, feeling more like 20. I’m in line for the new Yayoi Kusama installation with my dad’s old leather jacket, cause you know I’m hip, only to have it backfire since leather won’t keep you warm in the winter. I was ready to quit and go home but the door to the gallery was in sight; I have come too far already. You have to give it to New Yorkers cause even though I sound insane for doing this, rest assured I wasn’t the only one; at that point the line wrapped around 2 blocks. Whether dedicated to the art (or the gram) we’re all enduring the cold together.
The actual exhibit had no line but this year’s infinity mirror installation did. And if that’s not enough , the experience only lasts you exactly one minute! So was it really worth it?…HELL YEAH! I can’t tell you much about Yayoi Kusama but the mass following she has attained in the past few years is a testament to her immersive art and how it connects to people. Concepts that are so simple, yet hugely impactful, making you feel all of them feels. In Dancing Lights that Flew Up To The Universe, you’re completely entrapped in a giant box, with what probably are Christmas lights, with mirrors on every side truly making it feel endless and as if you’re floating in space.
With so many gimmicky Instagram exhibits recently popping up and all using the same streamline tactics such as brightly colored rooms and interesting lighting it’s almost easy to place Kusama’s collection amongst them.
So what’s different about this one?
In many of these Instagram layouts you are able to feel the emptiness, as if you the individual needs to interact and be centered in the room in order to breathe life into an otherwise soulless room. But this is where true art kicks in. Yayaoi Kusama completely encaptures you in her art evoking feelings and questioning life itself. Whether it’s the pumpkin striking your inner trypophobia or the water drops nostalgic of rainy car drives, their sole purpose is for you to stop for a second and get in touch with those emotions.
My favorite piece was the infinity ladder. Given where I currently am in life it spoke to me the most. The entire room is pitch dark with a neon ladder centered for everyone to observe. Two mirrors are placed on both ends giving the illusion that it never ends. Either you’re shooting all the way down to Earth’s core or soaring to great heights; it’s ultimately about what type of person you are. Like most things in life, you choose what steps to take and those will impact where you find yourself on the ladder; going up or going down. Sure there are external factors and in this case it’s every observant of the ladder (your life), but personally how I feel these days is that I’m my own worst enemy. Every fear and doubt that I have is holding me back of continuing to achieve the things that I want from this life. Both directions are clear to me and there’s an ideal state of where and how I picture my future self, but it’s ultimately up to me to that stride to go upwards no matter who or how many observants there are in the room.
Well that’s enough deep thoughts from me. All I can say is that if you find yourself around the Chelsea area this exhibit is worth stopping by. Maybe you’ll feel something maybe you won’t, but Every Day I Pray for Love is a journal of emotions taking form into shapes that can be processed by the human eye. For all those moments that you couldn’t pour out your emotions, Yayoi Kusama has made them into real life object for you.
Located at the David Zwirner Gallery on 537 W20th street through December 14th, 2019
Open Tuesday - Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM