The National Mall in Southwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Pumpkin, 2016
Yayoi Kusama, Japanese, b. Matsumoto, 1929
— Fiber-reinforced plastic; Collection of the artist —
For Yayoi Kusama pumpkins represent a source of radiant energy. They are, perhaps, the artist's most beloved motif, appearing in painting, drawings, sculptures, and some of her most important installations. Both endearing and grotesque, the giant gourds have been a source of inspiration for Kusama since her childhood, when she was surrounded by her family's seed nursery in prewar Japan. In one of her autobiographical poems, she writes, "Pumpkins bring about poetic peace in my mind. Pumpkins talk to me."
The work seen here is on view in conjunction with Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors (February 23-May 14, 2017), an exhibition that traces the artist's iconic Infinity Mirror Rooms over fie decades. This landmark show aims to reveal the ways in which the installations developed from a strategy of "self-obliteration" during the Vietnam War to a means of social harmony in the present. Each Infinity Mirror Room is presented alongside other key artworks, including a selection of the Kusama's most recent large-scale paintings and soft sculptures.
Erected 2017 by Smithsonian Institution.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Environment • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 2016.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby.
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Welcome to the Hirshhorn Museum's Sculpture Garden (here, next to this marker); We Come in Peace, 2018 (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Welcome to the Hirshhorn Museum's Sculpture Garden (a few steps from this marker); For Gordon Bunshaft, 2006, fabricated 2007-2008 (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Welcome to the Hirshhorn Museum's Sculpture Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); Yoko Ono (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Welcome to the Hirshhorn Museum's Sculpture Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); Monarchs on the Move (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Southwest Washington.
More about this marker.
[Additional information on the plaque:]
Visit Hirshhorn.si.edu/InfiniteKusama to learn more.
#InfiniteKusama
Related marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 24, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 20, 2017, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 403 times since then and 47 times this year. Last updated on February 11, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 30, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
