The Effects of a Simple Dot
- Barbara Flores
- 16 ago 2013
- 3 Min. de lectura
My Personal Experience Visiting the Yayoi Kusama Exhibition in Buenos Aires (June, 2013)
Have you ever thought about what a dot could mean? It may not seem like an important question, but this was one of the main thoughts that crossed my mind when an exhibition of Yayoi Kusama’s art was announced in Buenos Aires.
Yayoi Kusama (Matsumoto, 1929) is one of the most inspiring artists alive today. She is widely regarded as a significant influence on pop art, minimalist art, and feminist art. Throughout her career, Kusama’s work has been defined by repetition, patterns, and psychedelic colors across various media, including painting, sculpture, and environmental installations. Her influence extends beyond traditional art; for example, a few years ago, Louis Vuitton released a collection based on her artwork.
In the winter of 2013, the Museum of Latin American Art in Buenos Aires (MALBA) presented an exhibition honoring sixty years of Kusama’s artistic career. The exhibition offered the first Latin American audience the chance to witness artwork rich in autobiography. It consisted of a comprehensive tour covering six decades of the artist’s career, including paintings, sculptures, videos, and installations, displayed across two rooms: one for her earlier work and another for her more recent creations.
From its opening on June 29 to its closure, the exhibition captivated locals. This made me wonder: how long have people been so fascinated by Kusama’s art? Is the main draw her long and influential career, or is it tied to the recent Louis Vuitton collection inspired by her work?
No matter the day, visitors faced a one-hour wait outside the museum. Upon entry, attendees received dot stickers as a representation of Kusama’s art. People enthusiastically stuck them on their bodies, almost as if it were a fashion statement or a ritual in preparation for viewing the exhibit.
Inside the first room, each piece stood on its own, requiring no additional explanation beyond the limited information provided by the museum. Her early works, including abstract paintings, acted as a prologue, hinting at what was to come. Moving through the exhibit, I encountered sculptures resembling tumors in varying sizes, leading to recreations of Kusama’s famous installations. These installations offered a brief reprieve and underscored a central theme in her work: the dot. This simple, repetitive element, chosen by Kusama, represents the very essence of life and is present in everything—even in an ordinary living room.
The second room showcased Kusama’s more recent work, including large-format paintings. Visitors concluded their experience by leaving their stickers in a white-painted living room, a replica of the installation from the first floor.
But why has Kusama chosen the dot as the centerpiece of her art?
A dot can symbolize many things simultaneously, from a question mark to a pinpoint on a map. In graphic design, the dot represents the first interaction between pencil and paper. When repeated across a surface with added color, texture, and shape, it transforms into an eye-catching visual element.
Kusama’s message is clear: the dot is in everything. Through repetition, colors, and impressions, she invites people to become part of her art—and for her art to become part of them. It’s a unique, philosophical exchange that connects the observer and the observed.
Witnessing this exhibition made me realize what a genius Kusama is. Through her art, she translates her experiences and fulfills art’s ultimate purpose: to communicate and connect. This experience led me to consider a broader trend in the art world: Marina Abramović is collaborating with Lady Gaga, and Kusama is working with Louis Vuitton. Perhaps it’s time to expand our perspective, appreciate the value in everything around us, and respond to the signals calling our attention—even if it’s just a dot.
Originally published in Spanish at Dilatar la Pupila.
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