7 Must-Visit Art Exhibitions This Fall and Winter

If you’re anything like me, one of the first things you search for when planning a trip is the top museums in the area and the exhibitions they have on display.

Similar to the broader arts and culture (and travel) sectors, museums are making a comeback after years of pandemic restrictions reduced visitor numbers: now, there are more spectacular and innovative exhibitions than ever, showcasing everything from the fusion of a beloved anime franchise with the masterpieces of a renowned artist to an intriguing exploration of the eccentric mind of a celebrated Hollywood director.

Here are seven thrilling art exhibitions that are definitely worth the trip right now:

1. John Waters: Pope of Trash at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

John Waters, renowned for films like Pink Flamingos, Female Trouble, Cry-Baby, and Hairspray, gained notoriety in the 1970s and '80s for his provocative cult classics that challenged the boundaries of independent cinema. The exhibition John Waters: Pope of Trash will take over the fourth floor of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, marking the first extensive showcase dedicated solely to his films and creative process. Featured items will include costumes, archival photographs, props, and handwritten scripts. Be sure to look for Debbie Harry’s iconic exploding wig from Hairspray and the original script of Pink Flamingos.

2. Spike Lee: Creative Sources at the Brooklyn Museum

On the other side of the country, New York City’s Brooklyn Museum is hosting a major exhibition featuring over 400 artifacts dedicated to director Spike Lee, famed for films like Get on the Bus, BlacKkKlansman, and Mo’ Better Blues, which delve into themes of race, social justice, and Black identity. Spike Lee: Creative Sources traces the journey of this Atlanta-born, New York-raised filmmaker, showcasing memorabilia from his life, posters and props from his acclaimed films, and a dedicated space for the Knicks, his beloved basketball team. “This exhibition will provide a unique perspective on Spike Lee as a cultural custodian viewed through the lens of the Black diaspora,” curator Kimberli Gant mentioned in an interview with Gothamist. “You’ll discover themes that resonate through these artifacts into his cinematic works.”

3. Mark Rothko at the Fondation Louis Vuitton

Artist Mark Rothko is renowned for his color field paintings—vast expanses of vivid color that seem to envelop viewers entirely. Mark Rothko at the Fondation Louis Vuitton will span four floors of the Frank Gehry-designed venue and showcase 115 works from major international, institutional, and private collections. The artworks will be arranged chronologically, tracing the evolution of the artist’s career from his early figurative pieces to the abstract works he is famous for today. This is the first comprehensive retrospective in France dedicated solely to the Latvian-born American artist.

4. Pokémon x Van Gogh Museum at the Van Gogh Museum

I know, I know. The last place you’d expect to find Pikachu is at the Van Gogh Museum. However, to engage younger audiences with art, the museum has collaborated with the Pokémon Company to create six artworks that blend Pokémon characters with Vincent van Gogh's masterpieces—and it’s not that surprising considering the Dutch artist’s passion for Japanese art and woodblock prints. At Pokémon x Van Gogh Museum, visitors can find Munchlax and Snorlax lounging in Vincent van Gogh’s Bedroom in Arles, alongside Sunflora grinning amid his sunflower still lifes. Be sure to pick up some adorable Pokémon x Van Gogh Museum merchandise at the gift shop before you leave.

5. Yayoi Kusama at SFMOMA

Two of Yayoi Kusama’s most breathtaking Infinity Rooms are currently on display at San Francisco’s SFMOMA. The exhibition features two of Kusama’s iconic Infinity Rooms: Love is Calling and Dreaming of Earth’s Sphericity, I Would Offer My Love, the latter being a brand new installation that was previously showcased only at New York’s David Zwirner Gallery. Dreaming of Earth’s Sphericity, I Would Offer My Love features circular, colored windows illuminated by both natural and artificial light, filtered through a mesmerizing array of green, red, yellow, and blue dots. The second Infinity Room, Love is Calling, is one of the artist’s largest pieces, set in a dark room illuminated solely by glowing inflatable forms suspended from the ceiling. As guests navigate through the exhibit, Kusama’s voice can be heard reciting a poem about love in the background. However, visitors must manage their time carefully—entry to each Infinity Room is limited to one minute per visit.

6. Field of Light at Freedom Plaza

• Location: East River Esplanade, New York, New York, United States | Find on Google Maps
• Running until: December 15, 2024
• Tickets: Free, but reservations are needed | Reserve now

British-Australian artist Bruce Munro is renowned for his large-scale, immersive, and site-specific installations. His most famous series, Field of Light, has been exhibited from Austin, Texas to Uluru in Australia. On December 15, 2023, a Field of Light will launch in Manhattan and will remain for a full year. This installation will feature 17,000 solar-powered, flower-like fiber optic stems illuminated in a spectrum of colors. The exhibition will be entirely free and open to the public, but attendees will need to reserve a time slot to experience the Field of Light.

7. Picasso in Fontainebleau at MoMA

Pablo Picasso is renowned for his numerous reinventions throughout his career. At Picasso in Fontainebleau hosted by New York City's Museum of Modern Art, enthusiasts can discover the extensive body of work he produced during his three-month stay in Fontainebleau in 1921, located about 40 miles southeast of Paris. This period was profoundly transformative for the artist, marking a deeper dive into cubism. The exhibition will showcase four monumental works together for the first time since their creation in Picasso’s improvised studio, including both versions of Three Musicians and Three Women at the Spring.