Infinite World of Yayoi Kusama

The Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors exhibit at Hirshhorn Museum in Washington D.C. is the hottest buzz worthy exhibit of the season! I had the chance to attend the preview event for the exhibit in February (see post here). I had the lovely opportunity to check out the exhibit again this past weekend for a before and after post since it's been two months of the opening of the exhibit. The exhibit runs until May 14 and then will head to Seattle Art Museum from June 30 - September 10, 2017.

If you are one of lucky people to score a free timed pass and see the exhibit already - congratulations! For those of you who haven't had the opportunity don't sweat it. Every Monday at noon - that means today at 12pm EST - Hirshhorn releases free timed passes. Today passes will be released for the week of May 2 - May 8 (here). Next week Monday May 1 will be the last release for the final week of the exhibit May 9 - 14. A limited number of same day walk-up passes are available at the museum however note that people line up as early as 8am for passes.

Once you get into the exhibit I suggest you enjoy every minute of it and immerse yourself into the Infinite World of Yayoi Kusama. The exhibit is wonderful in my opinion! Even though it was my second time I noticed many new things and had such a different experience.

The Infinity Rooms (in order) include Phalli's Field, The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away, Love Transformed Into Dots, Aftermath of Obliteration of Eternity, and All The Eternal Love I Have For the Pumpkins. Visitors are allowed in groups of 2-3 people in each room for about 20-30 seconds to experience the infinity rooms. My suggestion is to first head straight to the second infinity room, The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away, which is my absolute favorite room! Then head back to Phalli's Field and enjoy all the other infinity rooms throughout the exhibit. 

I should also mention that photography is no longer allowed in the Pumpkin infinity room. Back in February there was an incident with a selfie and a broken pumpkin (read about it here) and since then no more photography is allowed. For this infinity room a staff member also known as the "pumpkin protector" enters with the visitors to show them the room and make sure all pumpkins stay perfectly in tact :) You are allowed to snap a quick photo (see below) before entering the All The Eternal Love I Have For the Pumpkins infinity room, just ask the wonderful staff and they will allow it before you step into the room.

Since time is limited in each room be sure to have a game plan for photos and videos to optimize your time. You will be allowed to leave your belongings outside or feel free to check them in the lockers at the museum on the bottom floor of the museum. I will also warn you that the exhibit is busy and there are lines for each infinity room therefore be patient. The lines do move quickly because the rooms are timed. The staff is super helpful and sweet in directing everyone and answering any questions visitors have.

Last but not least is the interactive Obliteration Room. The photos below were taken exactly two months apart, February 21 and April 22. As you can see the room has filled up with colorful dots placed by visitors. For every two visitors they are given a sheet of six stickers to place throughout the room. This is the last stop of the exhibit and once you enter the room you have to exit the exhibition. Therefore be sure to thoroughly explore all the infinity rooms and art before entering the obliteration room. This is by far my FAVORITE part of the exhibit. There is so much going on in the room: a piano in the room that visitors play on, kids placing the dots throughout the room, the dining table which makes for hilarious family photos and much more!

Thank you to the Hirshhorn for allowing me the opportunity to experience the Infinite World of Yayoi Kusama!