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Yayoi Kusama’s works finally arrive in Jakarta

Art enthusiasts in Indonesia will have the opportunity to see more works of renowned Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama in Jakarta.

Muthi Achadiat Kautsar (The Jakarta Post)
Jakarta
Mon, May 7, 2018

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Yayoi Kusama’s works finally arrive in Jakarta A look at The Spirit of the Pumpkins Descended into the Heavens. (JP/MUT)

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tarting this Saturday, May 12, art enthusiasts in Indonesia will have the opportunity to see more works of renowned Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama in Jakarta. More than 130 pieces have been on display at the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Nusantara (Museum MACAN) since Monday.

Titled Yayoi Kusama: Life is the Heart of a Rainbow, the survey exhibition is slated to run at Museum MACAN until September 9. Would-be visitors are advised to buy exhibition tickets in advance through the museum’s website.

Prior to this new exhibition, the inaugural exhibition titled Art Turns, World Turns was held at Museum MACAN from November 4, 2017 to March 18. Many works of Indonesian artists were included in the exhibition, living up to the museum's name, which includes ‘Nusantara’ (archipelago).

Now the museum is hosting a solo exhibition featuring a foreign prominent artist, and it will pave the way for the international art scene to enter Indonesia. It will create an opportunity for the exchange of ideas and further development in art.

Previously showcased at Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) in Brisbane, Australia, and then at the National Gallery Singapore, the exhibition is expected to draw up to 3000 visitors a day.

Read also: Seven tips on how to enjoy Museum Macan

It is very likely that the exhibition will become the next hottest selfie destination, but at least more Indonesians will learn about the influential Yayoi Kusama.

To anticipate the flood of visitors, the museum is now preparing a ticket box in a floor below the exhibition area. This is to make sure there are no more than 3000 visitors on the same floor as the exhibits.

Aaron Seeto, Director of Museum MACAN, said visiting the Yayoi Kusama exhibition would be an outstanding experience. Visitors are going to be able to delve into the world, the method, ideas and inspiration of the artist. In other words, visitors are invited to a first-hand experience of the works of Yayoi Kusama, who has become an art phenomenon.

Visitors to Yayoi Kusama: Life is the Heart of a Rainbow, will be exposed to the artist’s exploration during her creative period from the 1950s until now. There are dots, nets, pumpkins, response to the body and concept of selflessness, and most importantly, her unique approach to spaces, which is evident in sizable installations.

This exhibition is set to showcase the artists Infinity Mirrored Rooms, following Brilliance of the Souls, which has been on display in Museum MACAN since day one. There is still a long line to enter the Brilliance of the Souls room, but it will probably be divided now there are other rooms, peep boxes and installations to enjoy at the exhibition.

The Spirit of the Pumpkins Descended into the Heavens (room) and I Want to Love on the Festival Night (peep box) are among them.

Also not to be missed from the exhibition is Kusama’s painting series, My Eternal Soul, which began in 2009 and continues to this day. It is by far the largest painting series the artist has embarked upon, in which she combines figurative and abstract forms.

My Eternal Soul is by far the largest painting series Yayoi Kusama has embarked upon, where she combines figurative and abstract forms.
My Eternal Soul is by far the largest painting series Yayoi Kusama has embarked upon, where she combines figurative and abstract forms. (JP/Muthi)

The series exudes color and dynamism, frequently making use of contrast to create vibrant optical illusions.

Read also: Yayoi Kusama exhibition tickets now on sale

For those of you who are excited about the Obliteration Room, take the escalator to the next level. You will be given dot stickers of different sizes and colors, and you may stick them onto the walls and other objects in the all-white room. This is an interactive installation that has been displayed in more than 20 locations in 15 countries, and seen by around five million people.

Have fun with the stickers but remember that the ceiling is off limits.

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