YAYOI KUSAMA Museum — Attraction in Tokyo

The Early Years of Kusama Yayoi

Kusama Yayoi, an artist whose name has become synonymous with vibrant, hallucinatory works of art, was born on March 22, 1929, in Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture, Japan. Her early years were shaped by a combination of personal turmoil and cultural constraints, both of which would profoundly influence her artistic journey.

Kusama was born into a conservative and wealthy family, the youngest of four children. Her parents ran a seed nursery, which might explain the floral motifs and organic forms that later became hallmarks of her work. However, her childhood was far from idyllic. Her mother, Shigeru, was overbearing and abusive, while her father, Kamon, was often absent, involved in extramarital affairs that deeply troubled the young Kusama. This turbulent family life left her feeling isolated and misunderstood, conditions that fueled her later creative expression.

From a very young age, Kusama exhibited signs of what would later be diagnosed as obsessive-compulsive disorder. She experienced vivid hallucinations, often seeing patterns and dots everywhere around her. These hallucinations were frightening, yet they also sparked her artistic imagination. At the age of ten, she began drawing the visions she saw, filling page after page with dots, nets, and intricate patterns. Despite her mother’s disapproval and attempts to destroy her artwork, Kusama persevered, finding solace and purpose in her drawings.

Kusama's early artistic education was limited by the conservative nature of her upbringing. Her mother disapproved of her artistic aspirations and pushed her towards more traditional roles expected of women in that era. Despite these obstacles, Kusama found ways to educate herself about art. She frequented local libraries and absorbed whatever art books she could find, nurturing a passion for the avant-garde movements burgeoning in Europe and America.

In 1948, Kusama enrolled in the Kyoto Municipal School of Arts and Crafts, where she studied Nihonga, a traditional Japanese painting style. However, the rigid conventions of Nihonga frustrated her. Kusama was drawn to more experimental forms of expression, influenced by the works of European and American avant-garde artists. She began incorporating surreal and abstract elements into her work, often clashing with her instructors. Her time at the school was short-lived; feeling stifled by the conservative curriculum, she left before completing her degree.

Kusama's desire to escape the confines of her environment grew stronger. She corresponded with Georgia O'Keeffe, whose work she admired deeply. To Kusama’s surprise, O'Keeffe responded, offering encouragement and advice. This exchange was a pivotal moment, affirming Kusama’s belief in her artistic potential and her need to leave Japan to fully realize it. In 1957, with a small amount of money sewn into her dress, Kusama boarded a plane to the United States, determined to make her mark on the New York art scene.

New York in the late 1950s was a hub of artistic innovation, and Kusama arrived at a time when Abstract Expressionism was at its peak. She was immediately struck by the city’s energy and the freedom it offered. However, the early years in New York were fraught with challenges. She lived in poverty, struggling to make ends meet while trying to establish herself in a male-dominated art world. Yet, these hardships did not deter her. Kusama’s work ethic was relentless, and she quickly immersed herself in the vibrant artistic community.

Kusama's early works in New York were radical and audacious. She began creating large-scale paintings covered in repetitive, rhythmic patterns of dots and nets. These “infinity nets” became her signature style, representing her attempt to capture the infinite and the sublime. Her first solo exhibition in New York, held at the Brata Gallery in 1959, featured these mesmerizing canvases and received critical acclaim. Art critics praised her innovative approach, and her reputation began to grow. By...

I was very excited to visit this museum since Yayoi Kusama's exhibits in North America are always sold out and jam packed. The museum is located in a quiet area of Shinjuku, about 7 minutes walking from Ushigome-yanagicho station.

We purchased tickets online ahead of time (which is required prior to entering the museum and it's recommended that you do this as in advanced as possible since it will likely sell out). Your ticket allows you to enter at a specific time slot for a 90-minute duration.

The museum is 5 storeys high, however the first floor is the front desk and gift shop area so there are only actually 4 floors. The first floor contains smaller tableaux of Kusama's earlier works from the 1950s, the second floor are large and more recent tableaux (vibrant and eye-popping colours), the third floor is a small room with an infinity mirror pumpkin display room, and the fourth floor is a small library and an outside garden containing one large pumpkin covered in gold and dusty rose tiles.

You are not allowed to take pictures on the first two floors. As an amateur who does not know the first thing about how to properly interpret artwork, I would have appreciated some background information about the various pieces, however all we got were the names of the pieces and a brief background of Kusama on a pamphlet. As such, we went through these first two floors pretty quickly. While we could appreciate the funky beauty of the artwork, we had no idea what any of it meant and wish we could have known more about her inspirations, background stories and techniques.

The third floor was the infinity mirror pumpkin room. We were allowed into the room in groups of 6 for a two-minute time slot. The display was as mesmerizing and crazy as you'd expect, and made for some pretty cool photos. We also appreciated how we were allowed to return to the room afterwards if we wanted to. Because the museum was not packed with tourists, we were able to return shortly afterwards and even managed to have the room to ourselves.

On the last floor, there is a library with a few books about Kusama, in a few languages. The garden contained a single pumpkin and was a little underwhelming. Again, perhaps this is just our opinion since we were given no background information other than Kusama loves pumpkins. The art students who were there at the same time as us seemed to be admiring it, however we thought that the view from the garden was more impressive.

Overall we did not need the entire 90 minutes (more around 45). We appreciated the lack of crowds and the beauty of the art, but felt like there was not a lot of it considering the entire museum was...

Visiting the Yayoi Kusama Museum in Tokyo was a truly unforgettable experience. The museum, which is dedicated to the work of the renowned Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, is located in the heart of Shinjuku and is a must-see for art lovers.

One of the most striking things about the museum is the way it combines technology with art and science in presenting Kusama's work. Throughout the museum, visitors are treated to a variety of interactive exhibits that allow them to experience Kusama's art in new and exciting ways. For example, in one room, visitors can step inside a mirrored chamber and be surrounded by a mesmerizing display of lights and colors, while in another room, they can use a virtual reality headset to explore a digital version of one of Kusama's famous Infinity Rooms.

One of the highlight in the museum was the "Love Forever" installation, an immersive experience with mirrors and lights, creating an infinite and hypnotic visual. The installation was an exploration of the idea of infinity, and it was truly breathtaking to experience.

In conclusion, visiting the Yayoi Kusama Museum is a must-see for anyone interested in contemporary art, as it provides an immersive and interactive experience that is both thought-provoking and visually stunning. It is a testament to the artist's ability to combine technology with art and science to create truly mesmerizing and unforgettable...