Who would’ve guessed that the hottest ticket in Washington these days is not a buzzworthy band or some hotly contested sporting event? No, it is the Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors exhibit now on display at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.
Photo courtesy of Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
The exhibition is an exploration of Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, who just celebrated her 88th birthday on March 22. It features six of Kusama’s immersive, kaleidoscopic Infinity Mirror Rooms, alongside a selection of her other key works, some never before seen in the U.S.
The exhibit starts with Kusama’s “Infinity Mirror Room—Phalli’s Field” and goes all the way up to her most current work from 2016, “All the Eternal Love I Have for the Pumpkins.” The final room is the “The Obliteration Room.” It started a a stark white room however through the duration of the exhibit, guests are invited to “obliterate” the scene by placing multicolored dots everywhere in the room. This interactive exhibit is constantly changing as the number of people stroll through the room.
Photo courtesy of The DCFashion Fool
Kusama’s collection has been drawing crowds to the museum since its opening on February 23. While admittance to the exhibit is free, all exhibit goers must have a ticket. Timed ticketsare offered online on Mondays starting at noon however they are being snapped up at record pace. Last Monday, the 6,000 free timed tickets were gone in less than 2 minutes. The next offering of tickets will Monday, March 27, at noon for the week of April 4 through the 10.
Photo courtesy o the DCFashion Fool
Photo courtesy of Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
Hirshhorn Museum members can get into the exhibit as well however the special Kusama membership is no longer available online. There is a limited number of these $50 memberships but they can only be purchased at the museum. In addition, same day walk up tickets are also offered with people lining up as early as 6:30 am.
Photo courtesy of Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors Tips
Photo courtesy of Hirshorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
The tickets are free. Because there is such demand, people have resorted to reselling them. A quick check on Craigslist shows a number of tickets for sale. Before you purchase, please note all tickets were free.
For same day tickets, plan to line up early. Each person can get up to four tickets so not everyone has to wait in line. However if more than one person in your party gets tickets, try two different time slots. That way if it’s too crowded you’ll have an alternative time to check out the exhibit.
Consider going on a Wednesday; the museum has extended hours. The final exhibit entry is at 6:15 pm compared to 4 pm on other days.
If you can, leave coats at home. You do not want to wear them in the rooms. They can be left outside the room but it’s better not to bring them.
You only have a limited amount of time in each room (30 secs max). If you’re planning to take pics, have your camera or phone ready. Time goes fast.
The Obliteration Room is the last room of the exhibit. Once you enter you cannot return. Do not go in until you have thoroughly enjoyed the rest of the exhibit.
Photo courtesy of Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
The exhibit runs through May 14. After that it will travel to five major museums in the United States and Canada, including the Seattle Art Museum (June 30–Sept. 10, 2017), The Broad in Los Angeles (Oct. 21, 2017–Jan. 1, 2018), the Art Gallery of Ontario (March 3—May 27, 2018), the Cleveland Museum of Art (July 9–Sept. 30, 2018), and the High Museum of Art in Atlanta (Nov. 18, 2018–Feb. 17, 2019).
Barnette runs the website, The DCFashion Fool. It's a DC based lifestyle and fashion blog showing guys how to look and feel their best through his fashion, travel and activities around town. His motto is, "You too can be a fool for fashion!"
