This summer welcomes the first ever exhibition of Yayoi Kusama’s work in the capital, which will be featuring work based on her trademark polka dots, with giant suspended neon pink balls. This exhibition is guaranteed to grab the attention of kids and adults alike and is completely free (which means you can splash out when it comes to booking your Paris accommodation). Her work will be shown from the 11th of July to the 17th of August and will include a detailed biography of her fascinating life. Kusama was born in Japan in 1929 and showed a deep interest in art from a very early age; she started drawing polka dots at the age of ten. Her love of repetitive patterns derived from her upbringing, when she suffered bouts of depression and mental illness; her polka dots especially, derive from past hallucinations. In 1957, Kusama moved to New York in pursuit of further success and her work included large paintings, soft sculptures, and environmental sculptures using mirrors and electric lights. Towards the end of the 60s, Kusama staged many happenings such as body painting festivals, fashion shows and anti-war demonstrations; at this point, her work was gaining worldwide attention and was becoming easily recognisable. At this point in time, Kusama also began to launch media-related activities such as newspaper publications and film productions. In 1968, the film “Kusama’s Self-Obliteration”, which the artist produced and starred in, won a very prestigious prize at the Fourth International Experimental Film Competition in Belgium, the Second Maryland Film Festival and the Ann Arbor Film Festival. During these years, Kusama was also exhibiting in many European countries. Kusama has lived in a mental health institution for quite a while but still works in a near by studio. Despite her shaky mental health, Kusama has gained worldwide recognition with exhibitions in Japan, Italy, Germany, America, Thailand, Australia and many more. In 1993, 1998 and 1999, Kusama was the official representative of Japan at the prestigious Venice Biennale. Furthermore, her work has been compared to that of Andy Warhol and Jasper Johns and her work has featured in many exhibitions alongside theirs. She also has a strong personal connection with Georgia O’Keefe, having received numerous words of wisdom from the master. This free exhibition will be running during the months of July and August and is really worth a visit. Make sure to book your Paris apartments and Paris hotels and make your way to Paris.
