Part I
It was a dark and stormy night…in February; in Atlanta. Just
outside the High Museum we waited; waited for tickets. This was a night and
darkness that seemed would never end. The waiting that started for myself and a
number of others began around midnight Thursday Feb. 7th. This would
continue into daylight Friday morning (the 8th) around nine thirty.
In the course of the night we would face wind, rain, cold,
the dark and no available toilets. We would have to be resourceful on all accounts.
There were people in tents, sleeping bags, blankets, coats and hoodies. I was
arrayed in a sweater, scarf and blanket with snacks, books and an MP3 player. There
have of course been worse conditions but really; for tickets to an art exhibit
it was unusual. For the record; I had waited outside the Metropolitan in New
York with two of my grandkids just the year before in below zero wind chills to
see Michelangelo. These temperatures we faced now were at least above freezing;
a little.
About the time conditions seemed at their worst; it was
almost as if the darkness would not end. One of my fellow, brave and generous
art lovers appeared in front of me offering coffee. She was a Heaven send. Her
name was Veronica and we would eventually buy scalped tickets for a reasonable
eighty dollars each.
Part II
The exhibit we were dedicated to seeing was Yayoi Kusama’s
Infinity Rooms. This phenomenal exhibit had started at the Hirshhorn in
Washington DC and played in several major cities around the country and in
Canada.
Yayoi Kusama is one of the most fascinating and creative
artist’s working today. Her career began in a major way when the Japanese born
artist came to America and became a part of the 60's Pop/Happening
Scene. Polka Dots are something of a main stay for her as she covers everything
from sculptures to film,
fashion and paintings with different expanding and ever changing dot
patterns. She befriended and in many
ways competed with the greats of the period like Larry Rivers and Andy Warhol for
publicity and space. Her zeal and exuberant work ethic led her to a nervous
breakdown. She to this day lives in a mental institution where she checks
herself out and in daily to work in her nearby studio.
The Infinity Mirror Rooms are among her greatest intellectual and
artistic gifts to the world. They are marvels that the viewer is limited to
seeing in 30 seconds intervals. Like the finest gourmet servings a small bit is
savored with a much larger delight and relish than an unlimited, gratuitous
buffet.
Kusama’s work has been meaningful for viewers from around
the nation and the world that came like myself to Atlanta for a life time’s
opportunity. I was able to meet enthusiastic visitors from New Orleans, to
Pittsburg to Paris at “The High.” I had
traveled from the tip of South Western Virginia, across the Carolinas and into
Georgia myself. It was worth every bit of what it took for me to behold the
mastery and spectacular vision of Yayoi Kusama.
A Video Report from The News Hour
Hey Veronica;
It was fabulous meeting you at the Kusama Exhibition in
Atlanta. As you said while waiting overnight for tickets; “...this is (was) a
Great Adventure!” I arrived late that
afternoon and we didn’t have a chance to touch base. If you’re reading this:
thanks again for “the Best and Warmest Cup of Coffee” I’m likely to ever have.
I hope someday, to be able to return the favor and meet for a coffee and a doughnut.
All the Best;
James
jartistt@yahoo.com
