Yayoi Kusama's Rainbow Takes Over Jakarta's MACAN Museum

The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Nusantara (MACAN) in Jakarta, Indonesia, opened its 2018 season with a major exhibition dedicated to Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama (born 1929 in Matsumoto). Titled 'Life is the heart of a rainbow,' the show runs until September 9, 2018. Visitors are greeted by an oversized yellow-and-black pumpkin sculpture, a signature motif. The first room also features two interactive works. Subsequent galleries trace Kusama's early career through paintings from her formative years and videos from the 1960s, highlighting her childhood hallucinations and obsession with polka dots. Notable early paintings include portraits of Marilyn Monroe and Liz Taylor, created during her New York period when she connected with Pop Art figures like Andy Warhol. The videos also date from her American years, when she explored Body Art. A highlight is the 2014 'Infinity Mirrored Room' from MACAN's permanent collection, where viewers are enveloped by changing colored lights and infinite mirror reflections. Before leaving, visitors can place adhesive dots (provided with tickets) inside the 'Obliteration Room,' a white space where guests become artists. The museum also offers workshops for children. The exhibition was reviewed by Tiziana Vommaro.