The Biggest Yayoi Kusama Exhibition Ever Opens in New York City

On May 11, the globally acclaimed Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, known for her obsession with polka dots and pumpkins, revealed her newest creations at David Zwirner in New York City. The exhibit, named Yayoi Kusama: I Spend Each Day Embracing Flowers, is the largest showcase of Kusama's work to date, filling the galleries at 519, 525, and 533 West 19th Street.

Born in Matsumoto, Japan, in 1929, Kusama relocated to New York City in 1958 and quickly became a key figure in the pop art movement. She is best recognized for her iconic polka-dotted sculptures and expansive installations, including her renowned Infinity Mirror Rooms, which aim to create an otherworldly experience through mirrors and lights. This exhibition marks a decade since her debut at David Zwirner.

The exhibition derives its title from three monumental flower sculptures, all named I Spend Each Day Embracing Flowers. Designed for 360-degree viewing, these sculptures are situated within the gallery at 519 West 19th Street.

At the far end of the exhibition—located at 533 West 19th Street—visitors can find Kusama’s signature polka-dot pumpkin theme displayed on three wall-like sculptures that ripple across the gallery floor.

The highlight of the exhibition is a newly created Infinity Mirror Room titled Dreaming of Earth’s Sphericity, I Would Offer My Love (2023). Situated in the gallery at 525 West 19th Street, this room boasts circular windows that flood the space with both natural and artificial light, creating a mesmerizing display of red, blue, yellow, and green dots. Guests can enter the room solo or with a companion for two-minute experiences.

Behind the Infinity Mirror Room lies another gallery showcasing 36 paintings from Kusama’s series EVERY DAY I PRAY FOR LOVE (2021–present).

Tips for Visiting "Yayoi Kusama: I Spend Each Day Embracing Flowers"

Yayoi Kusama: I Spend Each Day Embracing Flowers is open from May 11 to July 21, 2023, across the David Zwirner galleries located on West 19th Street between 10th and 11th Avenues in Chelsea.

Admission is free and operates on a first-come, first-served basis. However, visitors to past Kusama exhibitions at David Zwirner have reported wait times ranging from half an hour to two hours, so arriving early is recommended. The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

For those traveling to New York for the exhibit, both Hotel Chelsea and Moxy NYC Chelsea are within walking distance of the David Zwirner galleries. The Hotel Chelsea, which reopened in February 2022 after renovations, is about a 15-minute walk, while Moxy is approximately a 20-minute stroll away.

For more Kusama art in NYC, a large mosaic created by the artist was permanently installed at the Grand Central Madison train station earlier in 2023.

Other Kusama Exhibitions Available Across the United States

For travelers unable to visit New York for I Spend Each Day Embracing Flowers, there are still ways to experience Kusama's art. Two Infinity Rooms can be found at the Broad in Los Angeles, another at the Hirshhorn Collection in Washington, D.C., and a new three-story-tall Infinity Room is set to open on May 12 at Chicago’s WNDR Museum.

Additional reporting for this article was provided by Lyndsey Matthews. This article was first published on April 13, 2023, and updated on May 11, 2023, with the latest information.