09/18/2023
Yayoi Kusama’s Narcissus Garden
Photographed at Crystal Bridges.
This is by far my favorite work of art and I was so happy to have seen it in person again. Somthing about the morning haze surrounding the piece creates a alluring sense of enchantment.
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The original artwork consisted of around 1500 mirror-like spheres and saw its debut in 1966. Kusama stood by her (unofficial and therefore unauthorized)exhibition in the Italian Pavilion outside the Venice Biennale where a sign read “Your Narcissism For Sale.” She peddled the spheres for $2 each to intrigued passers who were pulled in by the reflective orbs.
Originally a commentary on the commercialization of art, the interactive performance was soon shut down by the Biennale officials. (This further embellished her point to say the least.) The original mirrored spheres remained after the ordeal and have since then been replicated in stainless steel and placed in modern day exhibitions.
Floating freely in pools of water, the spheres drag the viewers in with their otherworldly appearance.
As one gazes into their reflection they share a commonality with the inspiration for the creation: Narcissus.
