Yayoi Kusama’s Works Come Alive at Cleveland Museum of Art

Cleveland has been on the lips of many an art lover in recent weeks, with the inaugural FRONT Triennial Art Exhibition opening to wide acclaim last month. Now, the city’s fabulous Cleveland Museum of Art is hosting the traveling Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors show, one of only five U.S. venues to present this exhibition, and the only one in the Midwest.

The museum underwent a stunning $350 million renovation and expansion that was completed in 2013, and it now boasts an impressive atrium courtyard with a soaring glass roof designed by world-renowned architect Rafael Viñoly.

The atrium is where visitors queue up for Infinity Mirrors, and the first of seven mirrored rooms—this one unique to Cleveland—is set in the cavernous space. Walk into the first room, which looks miniscule in the atrium, and suddenly, you’re seemingly transported to another dimension of infinite space; expect to have your mind blown a bit.

Large polka-dotted pink balls, a common theme of Kusama’s, are suspended in that corner of the atrium, drawing visitors over to the area; the installation is titled Narcissus Garden. Similarly, numerous trees (seen through the nearby glass exterior wall) have their trunks wrapped in a polka dot motif by the artist: Ascension of Polka Dots on the Trees.

Together, these two works bring a playful aspect to this whole corner of the museum.

Due to demand, only timed tickets are sold and visitors are limited to 30 seconds in each mirrored room, which is strictly enforced by museum staff. Try to avoid taking selfies in the rooms; 30 seconds isn’t enough time for that plus time to contemplate the scenes, some of which make you feel like you’re floating out in the distant reaches of the Milky Way. Take the time to enjoy the spectacle with your mind’s eye.

In addition to the rooms, which include the stunning Aftermath of Obliteration of Eternity and the quirky Phalli’s Field, visitors see a nice collection of some of Kusama’s works over her 65-year career. It includes paintings, sculptures, works on paper and installations.

Particularly interesting is the interactive The Obliteration Room exhibition. A large room containing household items, including tables, couches, other furniture and assorted knickknacks that you might find in any home. However, every surface of every object was painted pure white at the beginning of the exhibition.

Each visitor who walks through is given a sheet of polka dots of various sizes and colors; you’re invited to place them anywhere you choose. The idea is that everything will eventually be obliterated in this gradual communal act. I found the patterns that random individuals had created together over time to be mesmerizing.

Infinity Mirrors runs in Cleveland through September 30.