Thoughts on Kusama: Infinity at the Capitol Theatre
This past weekend, members of team Heist went to view Kusama: Infinity (2018) a must-see documentary film directed by Heather Lenz portraying Yayoi Kusama’s life and work. Here are some of our thoughts:
Hui Tse: I had one recurring thought during the movie — it would have been so easy to give up. But when her mother tore up her unfinished drawing, she only drew faster to prevent that from happening again. She had many marriage proposals and opportunities to settle down, but she ran away into the uncertain world of New York’s male-dominated art scene. She had her ideas stolen by famous artists and was rejected by her home city, Matsumoto. She did not know where her future would take her but was guided only by her conviction in expressing herself through art. Yayoi Kusama had a dream, a strong belief in her abilities and the conviction to see it through. I hope to find that for myself too.
Venus: This film gives Yayoi Kusama greater dimension - most people often refer to her as the ‘Polka Dot Lady’, but she is definitely more than just that. After the film, I developed immense respect for the courageous and rebellious artist who never backed down. I believe that everybody should watch the film if they have the chance — to find out more about an artist whose works have become so ubiquitous that we often forget the pain it took for her to get there.
Sofia: Through her work, Yayoi Kusama invites us into her universe: engulfed in her infinity net, we are given a glimpse of her vision which she believed in fearlessly and rather obsessively. The documentary film contextualizes the struggles she faced in the ruthless art scene, yet equally highlighted her undeniable courage, strength and determination. Tracing back to her childhood in Matsumoto, Japan where she wrote of her dreams to Georgia O-Keeffe, all the way to her arrival in New York City where she was thrust into the lion’s den. Defying all odds, Kusama refused to let her art be dismissed or her credibility as an artist be diminished, leading her to become a trailblazer in feminist art and one of most distinguished living contemporary artists in history.
