Yayoi Kusama: the woman behind the infinite dots
This feature explores the artistic legacy of Yayoi Kusama, focusing on her iconic use of polka dots and infinity mirror rooms. It examines how her work transcends simple decoration to explore themes of the cosmos and the human self.
Why it matters
Kusama remains one of the most influential contemporary artists, and understanding her philosophy provides insight into the evolution of modern immersive art installations.
I have this memory of walking into a Yayoi Kusama Infinity Mirror Room in Mumbai’s NMACC back in 2024, when it had just opened. You purchased a nominal ticket, queued up, and had about 20 minutes of viewing (immersing) time, surrounded by glowing lights, mirrors, no beginning and no end. You kind of felt like you were floating between room, floor, mirror, and light. Then you came back out of the black box, into reality, after being consumed by what felt like the cosmos. “Our earth is only one polka dot among a million stars. Polka dots are a way to infinity,” the late Japanese artist once said.
The Yayoi Kusama Infinity Mirror Room at NMACC
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