Yayoi Kusama's Cosmic Nature Blooms at New York Botanical Garden
On October 31, 2021, Yayoi Kusama's exhibition 'Cosmic Nature' debuted at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx, following delays due to the pandemic. The 92-year-old artist, who resided in New York between the 1950s and 1970s, draws from her Japanese childhood for inspiration. Notable installations include 'Ascension of Polka Dots on the Trees' and 'Flower Obsession,' where guests apply adhesive flowers. The 'Dancing Pumpkin' is particularly popular among photographers, while 'Pumpkins Screaming About Love Beyond Infinity' showcases a reflective glass cube. The highlight is 'Narcissus Garden,' featuring 1,400 aluminum spheres. An Infinity Mirrored Room is set to be introduced this summer. Although it draws Instagram enthusiasts, the exhibition lacks meaningful engagement with the site.
Key facts
- Cosmic Nature is a site-specific installation by Yayoi Kusama at New York Botanical Garden.
- The exhibition was postponed in 2020 due to the pandemic.
- Kusama lived in New York for fifteen years between the 1950s and 1970s.
- Ascension of Polka Dots on the Trees wraps tree trunks in polka-dot polyester fabric.
- Mertz Library is the largest botanical library in the US.
- Flower Obsession allows visitors to place adhesive flowers inside a greenhouse.
- Dancing Pumpkin is a monumental yellow-and-black polka-dot pumpkin.
- Narcissus Garden features 1,400 floating reflective aluminum spheres.
- Photography is banned in Pumpkins Screaming About Love Beyond Infinity.
- An Infinity Mirrored Room will be added during summer 2021.
- The exhibition runs until October 31, 2021.
Entities
Artists
- Yayoi Kusama
Institutions
- New York Botanical Garden
- Mertz Library
Locations
- New York
- Bronx
- United States
- Japan