On Monday December 9, Yavneh Academy fourth graders taking the art elective were invited by Jonathan Laib, director of the David Zwirner gallery in New York City, and parent of Yavneh students Benji, Ethan and Noah, to privately view the Yayoi Kusama show. On any given day there can be up to a two and a half hour wait to enter the gallery. Laib gave the students a VIP experience that will stay with them for a very long time.
Yayoi Kusama, 90, is a contemporary Japanese artist famous for being ‘the princess of polka dots.’ Although she makes many different types of art, she has said that “polka dots are a way to infinity.” By adding dots to her clothing, paintings, drawings and sculptures, Kusama feels as if she is making them (and herself) melt into the universe. She said, “Our earth is only one polka dot among a million stars in the cosmos. Polka dots are a way to infinity.”
Upon arrival to the gallery, the children were greeted by Laib and given a brief overview of the show. In the main gallery, the students were awed by a wall of forty two large scale abstract, colorful paintings and a striking floor-based constellation titled “Clouds.” Laib described how Kusama created each one of the large square canvases by turning them and working on one side at a time. Each child excitedly shared what they saw in the abstract works—bold colors, cityscapes, trees, giraffes, faces and more. The students loved exploring the organic-looking, cloud-like forms by very carefully walking between the structures and seeing their reflections in its surface.
The students also saw one of Kusama’s iconic pumpkin sculptures, a glowing “ladder to heaven” installation as well as cotton-based sculptures about the family unit. The highlight of the trip, however, was definitely the Infinity Room. Kusama created the room by installing hundreds of flashing colored LED lights into a mirrored room. The children were split up into groups of four to experience the ultimate combination of light and obliteration in one of Kusama’s trademark installations. The globes of light reflect repeatedly in the mirrors, making you feel like you are in an endless space. For one minute the students watched as the lights flickered and glowed, dimmed to complete darkness before glittering brightly again all while fully immersed in this experiential art work.
Although the gallery was officially closed, there were other patrons enjoying the exhibit. One couple remarked how well behaved the Yavneh Academy children were. A group of women watching the students commented how wonderful it was to see young children appreciating modern art.
A huge thank you to Jonathan Laib and everyone at the David Zwirner gallery, and Kazam for making the awesome art adventure happen.
