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“Our earth is only one polka dot among a million stars in the cosmos.” – Yayoi Kusama, 1968
Let’s Survive Forever invites the viewer to experience the Infinity Mirrored Room from within. The visitor is enveloped inside a large mirrored room with stainless steel balls suspended from the ceiling and arranged on the floor; an enclosed column within the room offers yet another mirrored environment accessible through peepholes. A sense of infinity is offered through the play of reflections between the circular shapes and the surrounding mirrors. The balls recall Kusama’s installation Narcissus Garden, first shown outdoors at the 33rd Venice Biennale in 1966 with over 1500 reflective spheres and recently presented in the United States at The Glass House in Connecticut. In Narcissus Garden, Kusama attempted to sell mirrored balls by the side of the road for $2 a pop. It was a commentary on the art market, and today it’s a reminder that narcissism predates selfies.
Per the guidelines instituted by Yayoi Kusama herself, guests will only be allowed a limited amount of time inside Let’s Survive Forever.
Photography is allowed and encouraged! Touching the artwork is strictly prohibited. No personal belongings except a phone and a camera are allowed inside the room. Upon entry, you must wear shoe covers that we provide. Once you exit the Infinity Room, no re-entry is allowed.
Born and raised in Japan, Yayoi Kusama emerged as an artist during the Vietnam era and continues to make work that reaches diverse audiences worldwide. Throughout her prolific practice spanning over six decades, Kusama has consistently created artwork about repetition and the concept of infinity.
In 1965 Kusama produced her first Infinity Mirror Room. This marked a move from the material repetition found in the artist’s paintings and sculptures to the illusion of infinite space using mirrors. Since then Kusama has made more than twenty unique rooms.
1130 W Monroe, Chicago, IL 60607
