The exhibit opens in May, but you should get advance tickets for what is surely to be a show that will make us all go dotty.
KUSAMA: Cosmic Nature is a major exhibition by the internationally celebrated Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, with sculptures and paintings throughout the New York Botanical Garden, indoors and out, including one of her famous infinity mirror rooms.
Some of the works on view at NYBG will be seen for the first time in the United States, and others have been specially created for this exhibit.
Unlike other special art shows at NYBG, like the recent Chihuly art glass exhibit, which travel widely, KUSAMA: Cosmic Nature is a one-and-only, only in New York.
So NYBG is the only place in the United States where you can experience the whimsical magic of Yoyoi Kusama works in a garden setting.
The exhibit opens May 9, through November 1, and includes works from throughout her career and multifaceted practice, and debut new works created by the artist such as the monumental Dancing Pumpkin (2020).
Tickets go on sale tomorrow, Feb. 26.
The exhibition will be installed across the Garden’s 250 acres and in several of its historic buildings. Outdoor works will include large-scale sculptures.
The equally magical Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, NYBG;s signature sprawling glass greenhouse, will display a spectacular tribute to Kusama based on one of her vibrant paintings. It includes her first ever “participatory” installation, in which visitors can add the own flowers to create a unique living artwork.
The LuEsther T. Mertz Library Building will feature immersive experiences as well as examples of her earlier work, including botanical sketches, paintings, works on paper, biomorphic collages, assemblages, and recent soft sculpture and canvas works. Many of these will be on view for the first time in the U.S.
Those early sketchbooks show her growing childhood fascination with flowers and plants, and it’s easy to see how the natural world has inspired her throughout her career.
Kusama Infinity Room
Many of us are most familiar with Kusama’s mirrored infinity rooms, and of course, there will be one here, too.
Titled Infinity Mirror Room—Illusion Inside the Heart, this work is designed for the outdoors, and will respond to changes in natural lighting conditions.
With your library card you might be able to gain free entry to the NYBG grounds, to see the outdoor exhibits, by making an advance ticket reservation through Culture Pass. Until yesterday, tickets were available through the end of May. This morning the website says no more free passes are currently available, and to check back at the beginning of next month. Either NYBG pulled the offer, or they were suddenly were all sold out of all passes for the next 3 months. [Unlikely?!] If you have a library card, and want to give it a try come March 1st, log on here: https://www.culturepass.nyc/