It’s finally the weekend. It’s time to kick back, relax, and maybe let the world move around you. There’s no better way to introduce a little calm and wonder today than to take a look at the work of Yayoi Kusama. The Japanese artist and writer has worked with just about every medium, but lately her focus has been colorful, cool, and fascinating work revolving around space and patterns. Kusama has moved from polka dots to fireflies in her latest installation, and the results are mesmerizing.
Fireflies on the Water is a sight that stops breath short. The installation creates the illusion of tiny and infinite orbs of light against total darkness. They’re like stars in the sky, or indeed, fireflies floating across water. It’s part art and part magic trick. Kusama has covered a room with mirrors and has very carefully suspended 150 colored lights from the ceiling. The effect on viewers is something like walking into a different world. The floor seems to disappear beneath them. It is a little bit like walking on the night sky.
Only one person is allowed in the room at a time to see the installation. It really changes up the experience for the viewer, by making it one that is entirely solitary. Alone in infinite space, each visitor is surrounded by a sea of soft and beautiful lights. It’s a surreal experience, even for those who can only see pictures of it online, much like the rest of Yayoi Kusama’s work. Luckily, it’s also her premiere stateside for those lucky enough to be near the the Whitney Museum in New York!
Check out more at the New York Times or the artist's website!
Mallory "Friday" Soto is the Editor of Cool Sh!t, Joonbug's source for internet culture, tech, charity, and the arts. A former Lit zine editor and comic book fan, she comes from a background of short stories and tales of masked vigilantes. She's a native New Yorker and avid video game fan.
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