To keep going a little longer with the bright colour theme, I would like to take you to a current exhibition at GoMA, our wonderful Gallery of Modern Art here in Brisbane. It is called Look Now, See Forever, showing the work of Yayoi Kusama, one of the most important and exciting contemporary artists to come from Japan.
She has been involved in film making, fashion, sculpting, writing, installation art and public happenings for nearly 60 years.
Born in 1929, Yayoi Kusama looks like no 81 year old I know. She suffers from ‘depersonalisation syndrome’ which leaves her suffering from hallucinations. Her art appears light hearted and whimsical and in glorious colour. She dresses to match her art.
I think my Mum needs a red wig.
Spots are a recurring theme. The exhibition begins with Dotted Pumpkins, gorgeous shiny pumpkins reflected in lots of mirrors.
We then move past the room where we see the artist telling her story and on to Dot Obsession, with giant inflatable objects covered with dots in a room covered with dots.
I wore a suitable dress to take the photos.
The next room is filled with her beautiful large scale works, Flowers that Bloom at Midnight.
The next room, which I think is everybody’s favourite, is where visitors get to take part. The Obliteration Room started out white. Visitors are handed cards of coloured dots and invited to stick them wherever they wish. By the time I made it to the exhibition the room had almost disappeared in a riot of colour.
Apparently, on opening day, a little girl was given the first card of dots and told she could put the dots wherever she wanted. She stuck the first one to herself.
GoMA does a wonderful job of making art accessible to everyone, particularly children. What better way to encourage an interest in art from an early age. Downstairs from the exhibition is a fairyland for children.
The detail in these installations is incredible.
Children can sit at a computer and create their own fantasy by gathering pieces to make their own art piece. What fun!!!
The exhibition is on until March 11, 2012. Go by yourself, or borrow a child and really have some fun. www.qag.qld.gov.au
I’ve always been put off by modern art – thinking it was quite elitist (like if you didn’t immediately understand the message behind a rusty dirty bucket you were a cultural cretin!).
I actually love this! It looks so fun and playful 🙂
By: originalribenababy on January 30, 2012
at 12:11 am
I’m with you on the rusty bucket/frozen sardine thing. I admit to being a cretin when it comes to some contemporary art.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 30, 2012
at 2:43 am
Oh dear Debra, this is so beautiful, fascinated me. What a creative people… I wished to visit there… Thank you so much, with my love, nia
By: niasunset on January 30, 2012
at 12:12 am
It is a fun exhibition, I have been a few times. I love it and it is free.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 30, 2012
at 2:44 am
I love the Obliteration Room – it’s like Web 2.0 for art!
By: composerinthegarden on January 30, 2012
at 12:12 am
It is great fun for kids and adults. Who doesn’t want to stick spots all over everything?
By: Debra Kolkka on January 30, 2012
at 2:45 am
What fun!
By: Anna Harrison on January 30, 2012
at 12:32 am
GoMA does some wondeful stuff.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 30, 2012
at 2:46 am
Amazing – the colours are so beautiful. The obliteration room must have been a lot of fun for the children (and grownups!)
Pam Proctor
By: Anonymous on January 30, 2012
at 12:32 am
Everybody seemed to be enjoying themselves.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 30, 2012
at 2:46 am
hi Deb,
i took Lulu along the other day and of course it was a hit.
cheers
cousin Julie
By: Anonymous on January 30, 2012
at 12:42 am
Hi Julie, It would be fun to be a little child here.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 30, 2012
at 2:47 am
Beautiful exhibit. Thanks for sharing. It’s is nice to see bright fun colors.
By: J.C.V. on January 30, 2012
at 12:43 am
I hope I am a bit dotty when I am 81.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 30, 2012
at 2:47 am
Debra…Love the photo of yours truly in the spotty dress :)What a fabulous exhibition…many thanks for sharing !
By: Sue Austin on January 30, 2012
at 1:41 am
I don’t usually put myself in the blog, but the coincidence of the dress was too much,
By: Debra Kolkka on January 30, 2012
at 2:48 am
Thank you for sharing these photos!
By: disseminatedthought on January 30, 2012
at 2:32 am
If you are near Brisbane I hope you visit the exhibition.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 30, 2012
at 2:49 am
Thanks for this great post Debra…I’m off tomorrow to see this fabulous ‘dotty’ exhibition….isn’t it wonderful. She’s an amazing creative artist…I love her dottiness!
By: Paris Rendez-vous on January 30, 2012
at 3:05 am
I’m sure you will love it.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 30, 2012
at 11:39 am
What a fabulous exhibition. I love the way GoMA encourages the children (and adults! ) to participate in their exhibitions
By: jenny@atasteoftravel on January 30, 2012
at 3:40 am
GoMA does a fabulous job. The attendances for the gallery are very good.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 30, 2012
at 11:40 am
Most interesting, Debra and the usual great photos. Thank you. Not exactly my “cup of tea”, but very imaginative and different. And coloured dots are very fashionable right now.
By: Mulino Dominillo on January 30, 2012
at 4:48 am
I think her work is a lot of fun. I love that she is still creating in her 80s.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 30, 2012
at 11:41 am
I cannot believe that we are going to be in the area in those dates! I would love to take my daughter, I might turn into a cchild myself!
By: towardshealthylife on January 30, 2012
at 7:31 am
Have a great time. Look for the Matisse exhibition as well. I did a post on it a little while ago.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 30, 2012
at 11:49 am
What a fun place and funky work. I want to eat fairyland!
By: From a Tuscan Villa on January 30, 2012
at 9:58 am
It looked very delicious.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 30, 2012
at 11:44 am
This modern art is out of this world! I love it. The kitchen is crazy and the red and white polka dot room is brilliant! Thanks for sharing these photos, they’ve brightened a grey day. 🙂
By: Jennifer Avventura on January 30, 2012
at 12:15 pm
I love the dotty rooms. I think the whole exhibition is great fun.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 30, 2012
at 12:25 pm
Hi, I just stumble upon your blog via wordpress. So glad I did or I would have missed this. I’m making a date with my now grown daughter to go and see this when I’m next in Brisbane, I love spotty dotty things. Definitely need more involved with the spots, lol.
By: Theresa Miers on January 30, 2012
at 12:23 pm
The exhibition is wonderful. Be sure to see the Matisse exhibition as well.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 30, 2012
at 12:26 pm
This looks awesome – the obliteration room must be a blast with kids! It’s nice to see modern art that seems to be as much about having fun as anything else.
By: Journey Photographic on January 30, 2012
at 1:24 pm
Everyone loves the Obliteration Room
By: Debra Kolkka on January 31, 2012
at 10:43 pm
Good God, Deb, this artist’s work is stunning! Those large flowers are magnificent. Isn’t it strange how many great artists suffer from mental illness? It fascinates me that she does.
Great post, my friend!
Hugs,
Kathy
By: Kathryn McCullough on January 30, 2012
at 6:24 pm
Her art comes from a dark place. It is amazing that it is so bright and cheerful.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 31, 2012
at 10:44 pm
Amazing lady, I love COLOUR and spots will visit Goma soon.
Fantastic Photos once again Debra.
I feel since reading your posts that I look at things differently now with eyes Wide opened.
I hope that I will be that colourful at 80 !!!
By: Lorraine Wagner on January 30, 2012
at 9:07 pm
Me too!
By: Debra Kolkka on January 31, 2012
at 10:39 pm
Gorgeous world! I have seen two different exhibits in Tokyo and she’ll be showing in London in February. I’m excited.
By: linneabylinneanilsson on January 31, 2012
at 12:28 am
She is amazing. Enjoy the exhibition in London.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 31, 2012
at 10:38 pm
Absolutely wonderful. I’d love to go see it, and my kids would be beside themselves.
Loving your colourful posts at the moment Debra.
By: cityhippyfarmgirl on January 31, 2012
at 3:16 am
Kids love this place.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 31, 2012
at 10:37 pm
So filled with color and fun!!! I could so easily get lost in it all!
By: Marcie on January 31, 2012
at 12:56 pm
You could certainly get lost in the red and white spot room.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 31, 2012
at 10:36 pm
I am dotty about spots too! What an inspiring and aspiring artist and a role model for us ladies on the way to the eccentric 80s! I love the idea of putting in dots everywhere. Just wish Yayoi Kasuma will bring her exhibition to Adelaide. Her art is so vibrant and family-friendly. Thank you for introducing us to Yayoi Kasuma and a different kind of modern art.
By: Sandra H on January 31, 2012
at 1:24 pm
I think is is great. I love spots.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 31, 2012
at 10:36 pm
Hi again, Debra, love your spotty dress – goes well with the red and white dotty theme.
By: Sandra H on January 31, 2012
at 1:26 pm
LOVE LOVE this post. What whimsical and joyous art. My daughter would melt all over that fairy display.
By: Damommachef on January 31, 2012
at 9:03 pm
GoMA does a wonderful job, we are very lucky to have it.
By: Debra Kolkka on January 31, 2012
at 10:35 pm
Art that is full of joy. What a lovely start to my day. Thank you!
By: frenchfry36 on February 2, 2012
at 7:17 pm
The exhibition is a lot of fun.
By: Debra Kolkka on February 2, 2012
at 8:10 pm
[…] I had read this blog about her I thought her work would be fun to see but I didn’t expect it to ever happen. I was […]
By: Treats… « Lois Reynolds Mead's Blog on June 29, 2012
at 3:46 pm