On a whim I decided to go to DC to participate in the Standing Rock protest. Taking a break from the protest I was walking on the National Mall and my attention was diverted to windows covered in pink polka dots. 'Kusama? Kusama!' - Only I would correlate polka dots with an artist. The New York Times recently did a piece on her but I was unsure if she had an exhibition in town. After a quick search my suspicions were correct - 'Infinity Rooms' at the Hirshorn. Tickets were hard to come by but if you arrived early the staff would give some away starting at 10 AM. Alarm set.
I arrived prior to 10 AM and already there was a line wrapped around the building. It was unusually cold (but again, it was March in DC) and after an hour and a half of waiting the crowd was informed they were sold out for the day. I was furious. Giving four tickets away to each individual while dozens stood outside seemed unfair. I soon learned that if you purchased a membership you were given four tickets and could see the show the same day. I figured - fine, I will pay it since I am already here. It was not until I was told I had to use all four tickets at once that I promptly became...not so friendly. If I am paying for the membership, why can't I use them as I pleased? Also, telling me I will have an opportunity to see in next year in Cleveland? Ah, no! I must see it today! After some pleading they let me in - success!
It was worth it. The wait, the cold, everything. I never been to an exhibition that was just so colorful and fun. I admired her transparency that all of her work coincided with her inner thoughts and mental health. Art truly is a beautiful way to communicate with the outside world when you are unable to do so verbally. In her adulthood she seemed shy and reserved and she claimed this stemmed from the abuse she endured as a child. For a woman to openly discuss the dark spaces within her mind and channel them into something magical is inspirational.
Of course, I cannot close this out entry out without posting my favorite picture.
Ah, my new idol. It is amazing as something so ordinary as polka dots can change your entire perspective and give a patron a completely different outlook of your universe.