The Bellagio Gallery of Art in Las Vegas is featuring an artist whose work is mysterious and alluring.
The installation, “Aftermath of Obliteration” is a room of lights and mirrors. “Narcissus Garden” consists of 750 stainless steel globes.
The artist is Yayoi Kusama, now 89 years, and born in Japan.
Kusama is the subject of a documentary film by Heather Lenz, titled, “Kusama Infinity: The LIfe and Art of Yayoi Kusama.”
“I just really felt that her contributions to the American art world hadn’t been properly understood or recognized and that is part of what motivated me to want to make the movie about her,” Lenz explained.
People are more familiar with Kusama's work now but when she first left Japan and came to New York City she was not a successful artist, Lenz explained.
“In Japan, she was just really ahead of her time. She had this ambition and dream of being an artist and she just didn’t fit in because the expectation was she would get married, have an arranged marriage, in fact, become a mother and just have a more conventional life,” she explained.
However, when she came to the United States, she didn't speak fluent English and didn't have any contacts. Lenz believes Kusama thought life in America would be different.
“But in fact, she leaves behind one set of problems in Japan, only to be faced with another set of problems in America,” she said.
In the 60s, it was tough for a woman to be involved with a group show let alone a solo show, which meant getting her work into galleries was extremely difficult.
In addition, it was not that long after World War 2, Lenz said, and there was still a lot of hostility toward Japanese people. That struggle with sexism, racism and not being appreciated for her art lead to suicide attempts.
“Certainly, the way she was treated lead to a downward spiral and it took a lot of years for her to be able to turn that around and finally achieve success,” Lenz said.
When Kusama left New York City to return to Japan in the 70s, she checked herself into a psychiatric hospital where she remains to this day. She leaves to work on her art.
“She is very pleased that a younger generation has found her art and appreciates her art,” Lenz said.
Narcissus Garden/Yayoi Kusama
Heather Lenz, Filmmaker
