Photo: Courtesy of flickr.com
The David Zwirner Gallery is currently showing the work of Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama; but hurry! The exhibit only lasts until this Saturday, June 13. If you’re a fan of colors and polka dots, this exhibition is not to be missed.
Kusama started her life as an artist at age 10, showing a particular love for dots and nets in her work. However, she was a woman who worked with many mediums. Not only was Kusama a painter, but a sculptor and novelist as well. She has won awards around the world, including the Best Gallery Show in 1995-96 as well as 1996-97 from the International Association of Art Critics.
The name of the exhibition at the David Zwirner Gallwey is “Give Me Love.” It features many of Kusama’s bright and colorful paintings, making guests feel as though they stepped into a cartoon, or the flower power era.
However, the exhibit is much more than just paintings. A number of pumpkin sculptures can also be found in the gallery. True to her life as an unusual artist, Kusaka’s pumpkins are far from ordinary. They are large, colorful, and spotted. They are placed around a large white gallery room, making them stand out even more.
Probably the most notable part of the Give Me Love exhibition is The obliteration room, which guests sometimes will wait for hours to see. The exhibit is a large room, including a kitchenette, a small dining space and a living area. There is plenty of furniture, things you’d see in your average house. However, there is a bit of a twist: The entire room is white.
At least it started out that way. Guests are given colorful spot stickers to put anywhere in the exhibit they please. Since the exhibit opened, thousands of visitors have placed stickers throughout the white room. Polka dots cover all of the furniture, from the tea kettle to the house plants.
This white room turned into a polka dot storm very quickly. The exhibit has been insanely popular since its debut in the United States. Pictures of the room can be found all over social media, dotting the internet much like the stickers dotting the walls.
The David Zwirner Gallery’s website encourages visitors to come to the gallery before 4 p.m. as the line for The obliteration room often lasts a couple of hours.
Take advantage of this beautiful and interactive exhibition before it is over! The gallery is located at 519 & 525 West 19th Street and hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
-by Laura Seaman
