Yayoi Kusama, Iconic Japanese Artist Known for Polka Dots and Pumpkins, Dies at 97
Kusama Yayoi Dies at 97
Yayoi Kusama, the avant-garde artist renowned for her colorful polka dots and pumpkin sculptures, passed away on August 14 at a Tokyo hospital due to multiple organ failure. She was 97. Kusama, who received the Order of Culture, spent her formative years in New York from 1957 to 1973, where she gained attention for anti-Vietnam War happenings and was dubbed the 'Queen of Happenings.' Her signature patterns stemmed from hallucinations she experienced since childhood. After returning to Japan, her international acclaim grew in the 1990s, culminating in major retrospectives at leading Western museums in 2011-12.
Her trademark polka dots and nets originated from hallucinations that had troubled her since childhood, and she began painting them to escape fear and anxiety.
- brudgers
This video of her changed my life:
I realized that art was a way to let my crazy run downhill.
It was just a random Youtube recommendation.
I’ve been subscribed to the Louisiana Channel ever since.
My submission of the video: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=18338528
- NDlurker
I found out about her from the Polkadot blockchain test network called Kusama. Strange but cool way to find out about an amazing artist. Rest in peace.
- locusofself
Sad! I really enjoyed going to the Kusama exhibit with my (now) wife years ago, and my daughter had a Kusama phase when she was about 5 years old and dressed up like her with a hot pink wig and polka dot outbit.
- Schlagbohrer
I had an amazing time visiting her exhibit when it came through my town. Being in the mirror rooms was really fun and her glowing glass pumpkins and squashes are playful in form and color and fun to look at.
There were unfortunately so many people who insisted on taking photos of themselves inside the mirror rooms that they would drop their phones and break the glass sculptures. How frustrating that people can't just enjoy art directly!
- OhMeadhbh
Several years ago I was at a conference in Las Vegas and discovered that one of her "infinity mirror rooms" was on display at... can't remember the exact location... maybe the Bellagio, but one of the major casinos along the strip. I eventually found it, but it was SO out of place -- A moment of art in a sea of crude commerce. Still... I was happy to have seen it. Major props to my spouse who has an uncanny ability to find interesting things, even in Vegas.