The Moving Moment When I Went to the Universe brings new works, a trippy Infinity Mirror Room and plenty of giant pumpkins and more by celebrated Japanese artist, Yayoi Kusama, to Victoria Miro.
The exhibition spreads across Miro’s Wharf Road galleries and waterside garden. Just back from the press preview, I’m struck by how much I wanted to linger in Gallery II where Kusama’s My Eternal Soul series of large canvas paintings are displayed. The chance to consider the artist’s confident use of vibrant colour, naïve and emotive faces and wobbly yet painstakingly applied patterns up close was a delight.
As much as I loved the paintings, what I reckon will be the show’s big draw is the Infinity Mirror Room, with the potential to be the most Instagrammed setting of this year’s London art season. Making its debut at Victoria Miro, the (fully titled) Infinity Mirror Room – My Heart is Dancing into the Universe offers an immerse experience inside a dark mirrored room with illuminated paper lanterns, suspended from the ceiling with polka dot patterns and changing colours.
And then, of course, there are the pumpkins for which Kusama is so well know. The Moving Moment boasts a gallery full of large-scale painted bronze pumpkins and paintings of dotted pumpkins with more wee pumpkins for sale in the gift shop. In addition to the artist’s iconic pumpkins, the exhibition also features giant-sized bronze flower sculptures to admire.
Yayoi Kusama: The Moving Moment When I Went to the Universe exhibition runs from 3 October to 21 December 2018 at Victoria Miro, 16 Wharf Road, N1 7RW. Entry to the exhibition is by free timed ticket and must be booked in advance online. To book tickets and find out more go to victoria-miro.com.
