Yayoi Kusama in Latin America
São Paulo, Brazil a city bursting with culture and art hosted an exhibition by one of the most influential artists of the 21st century. Yayoi Kusama.
fluoro attended the opening of Obsessão Infinita (Infinite Obsession) at the Instituto Tomie Ohtake, which uncovered the world of Yayoi Kusama to the city.
The Instituto Tomie Ohtake was a fitting location to merge the creative to merge the creative histories of Japan and Brazil. The family of Ohtake, an abstract Japanese Brazilian artist, were all in attendance at the opening.
As fluoro was immersed in the patterns and colour of Kusama’s work it was clear that her ‘obsession’ was one that was deeply rooted. The story of Kusama’s artistic life is one that involves culture, influence and creativity. fluoro gives a look into the history and energy of the iconic artist, to appreciate how her background influences her work.
Known for her signature dotted artworks, Kusama’s fame has waxed and waned. In 1960’s New York, Kusama was referred to as the ‘Polka Dot Princess’ by the media, rivalling Andy Warhol for press attention. More recently she has returned to public attention with Louis Vuitton’s Kusama inspired dotted handbags and accessories and the critically acclaimed exhibition at London’s Tate Modern.
Obsessão Infinita has now arrived in São Paulo: a retrospective of Kusama’s art production between 1950 and 2013. The Yayoi Kusama Studio and the Instituto Tomie Ohtake have masterminded Kusama’s exhibition in Brazil.
At 82 years old, Kusama still paints everyday with an intensity and vigour that would rival the enthusiasm of many younger artists. Despite this apparent vigour Kusama is a fragile lady, and the repetition of dots over in her works is a reflection of her state of mind.
Kusama lived in New York during the 1960’s and 1970’s to free herself from traditional Japanese forms of artistic expression. She had been influenced by the Cubist and Surrealist movements, which she experienced through magazines while still in Japan. Her creativity and desire to experiment with her art increasingly clashed with Japanese art of the time (Nihonga style).
During this period in New York she experienced a radical cultural shock, moving from a conservative family and society to the permissive 1960’s United States. Here in New York, young society was experimenting with drugs and sexual freedom. It was a new way of life.
Despite a highly creative and productive 15 years living in the United States, Kusama lived in very poor conditions. Currently, some of her artworks are sold for thousands of dollars but in her early career she barely had enough money to eat. It was towards the end of her stay in the United States that she was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, this and the challenges of work in the United States triggered her return to Japan.
In Kusama’s dotted works we may glimpse what goes on in her mind. An obsessed with reproducing dots, over surfaces of canvas and installations, with systematic repetition is revealed.
Upon her return to Japan, Kusama felt a stranger in her own country, which still remained very conservative. She was seen as a scandalous personality given her extravagant art production and lifestyle while in the United States. In 1977, Kusama voluntarily moved into a mental health clinic where she still lives.
Before opening in São Paulo, Obsessão Infinita had been shown in Argentina and other parts of Brazil including Brasilia and Rio de Janeiro. fluoro spoke with Philip Larratt-Smith, Head Curator of the exhibition, about the charm of the polka dot and the artist’s compelling personal story. Currently the exhibition is on display at Instituto Tomie Ohtake until Sunday 27 July 2014. The tour continues and the exhibition will travel to Mexico City where it will open on Thursday 25 September 2014 at the Museo Tamayo.
Words by: Patricia Cornish.
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