Yayoi Kusama’s Famous Sculptures Evolve, Run Freely At New York Botanical Garden
‘Dancing Pumpkin’, 2020, The New York Botanical Garden, Urethane paint on bronze, 196 7/8 x 116 7/8 x 117 ¼ in. (500 x 296.9 x 297.8 cm), Collection of the artist. Courtesy of Ota Fine Arts and David Zwirner. Photo by Robert Benson Photography via New York Botanical Garden
The pumpkins and polka dots of Yayoi Kusama, the Japanese pop artist whose work is deemed among the most Instagrammable in the world, have taken on new forms and are claiming the 250-acre landscape of the New York Botanical Garden.
The outdoor exhibition, entitled KUSAMA: Cosmic Nature, comprises an array of nature-themed sculptures by Kusama, including brand-new installations designed for the show.
Within the collection is a new tentacled, polka-dotted Dancing Pumpkin, as well a I Want to Fly to the Universe statue dancing across a reflective pool. There are also trees coated in Kusama’s famous polka dots, and the artist’s first flower obliteration greenhouse.
Kusama described of the artworks: “Dancing through our universe are noble souls whose magnificent forms are saturated with mystery. I invite you to explore the endlessly expanding ode to the beauty of love that is my art.”
The exhibition was first scheduled to take place in 2020, but faced postponement due to the pandemic. It is finally taking over the New York Botanical Garden and will reside there until October 31, 2021.
‘I Want to Fly to the Universe’, 2020, The New York Botanical Garden, Urethane paint on aluminum, 157 3/8 x 169 3/8 x 140 1/8 in. (400 x 430 x 356 cm), Collection of the artist. Courtesy of Ota Fine Arts and David Zwirner. Photo by Robert Benson Photography via New York Botanical Garden
‘Ascension of Polka Dots on the Trees’, 2002/2021, The New York Botanical Garden, Printed polyester fabric, bungees, and aluminum staples installed on existing trees, Site-specific installation, dimensions variable, Collection of the artist. Photo by Robert Benson Photography via New York Botanical Garden
‘Narcissus Garden’, 1966/2021, The New York Botanical Garden. 1,400 stainless steel spheres. Collection of the artist. Courtesy of Ota Fine Arts, Tokyo/Singapore/ Shanghai; David Zwirner, New York; Victoria Miro, London/Venice. Photo by Robert Benson Photography via New York Botanical Garden
‘Hymn of Life – Tulips’, 2007, Mixed media, Courtesy of the City of Beverly Hills via New York Botanical Garden
‘My Soul Blooms Forever’, 2019, The New York Botanical Garden, Urethane paint on stainless steel, Installation dimensions variable, Collection of the artist. Courtesy of Ota Fine Arts, Victoria Miro, and David Zwirner. Photo by Robert Benson Photography via New York Botanical Garden
‘Life’, 2015, The New York Botanical Garden, Fiberglass-reinforced plastic, tiles, and resin, Installation dimensions variable, Collection of the artist. Courtesy of Ota Fine Arts and David Zwirner. Photo by Robert Benson Photography via New York Botanical Garden
[via My Modern Met, images via New York Botanical Garden]
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