By Linda Seigelman
Two years ago on a trip to Japan, my husband and I spent time on the island of Naoshima, a remote island on the Seto Inland Sea that is devoted to art. It was there we experienced firsthand the amazing artwork of Yayoi Kusama. Kusama is one of the most popular – and most instagrammed – artists in the world. She draws millions of people to her immersive installations. Her iconic yellow pumpkin sculpture has become the de facto symbol of Naoshima (see “Naoshima pumpkin” online), and there is nary a visitor who leaves the island without multiple souvenir pumpkin photos and selfies.
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This year, the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) is hosting a major exhibition of the work of Yayoi Kusama. Titled “KUSAMA: Cosmic Nature,” the show will run from May to November and reflect Kusama’s lifelong fascination with the natural world. The exhibit will include indoor and outdoor installations throughout the grounds and feature paintings, sculptures and the artist’s signature Infinity Rooms.
Four new works including a monumental pumpkin sculpture will have their debut. The much anticipated Infinity Mirrored Room—Illusion Inside the Heart will be housed in a cube-shaped structure located out in the open. It will feature mirrored sides. The exterior of the piece will reflect the changing skies while the interior will reflect a series of colored lights. To avoid long lines, timed tickets will be issued for the Infinity Mirrored Room.
In addition, the Botanical Garden will create special flower bed plantings to coordinate with Kusama’s paintings and will wrap a section of trees in polka-dotted fabric suggesting the pumpkin and other iconic Kusama artworks. Tickets and exhibition details are available online at www.nybg.org.
NYBG is easy to reach via the George Washington Bridge and the Henry Hudson Parkway North. It is located directly across the street from the Fordham University campus. Parking is easy and plentiful, either outside the Botanical Garden on Southern Boulevard (check alternate side parking signs) or in the onsite lot. NYBG is open Tuesday – Sunday and some holiday Mondays.
At 250 acres and with over one million living plants, the New York Botanical Garden is a wonderful place to visit any time. With the addition of Yayoi Kusama’s spectacular artworks, the time is now.
WHERE TO EAT
The NYBG offers a number of on-site dining options, from casual snacks and sandwiches to a lovely farm-to-table restaurant.
Stop by the Pine Tree Café in the Leon Levy Visitor Center amid the collection of rare pines – some 100 feet tall – for artisanal panini, wraps, pizza, salads, sweets and other specialty snacks.
The Hudson Garden Grill in the Ross Conifer Arboretum across from the Conservatory offers a leisurely dining experience with locally-sourced ingredients and seasonal menu items such as soft shell crabs and spring pea soup, burgers and beautiful salads, late afternoon bar service, and coffee and snacks as well.