Presenting Yayoi Kusama’s Footprints of Life

History has shown us that all great cities are built upon more than just brick and mortar.

Whether it’s Athens, Rome, or New York, an appreciation and celebration of the arts is at the cornerstone of every developed society. Art shows us that we’re capable of interpreting life in a variety of mediums, that we are able to reflect on ideas and events in a non-literal way. At its core, art is what makes us human. It’s with this mindset that Ward Village, in conjunction with the Honolulu Biennial Foundation, is pleased to announce an installation on the grounds of the IBM building featuring the work of acclaimed Japanese artist and sculptor Yayoi Kusama next month.

Known for her love of dots and infatuation with color, Kusama, now 86 years old, became one of the most influential artists of the avant-garde era, her eye-catching and abstract work came of age alongside Andy Warhol and George Segal. Although she began her career as a painter, Kusama transitioned to sculpture when she moved to New York in the late 1950s. In the ensuing decade, she would become a central figure in the art world and helped shape the Pop Art movement that followed. In the 1970s, she moved back to Japan, where she continues to create and inspire us through her art today. Last year, she was named as one of the Top 10 Living Artists by Artsy magazine.

Solo exhibition:”YAYOI KUSAMA” Whitney Museum of American Art, New York 2012 ©YAYOI KUSAMA

In her forthcoming exhibit titled “Footprints of Life,” 15 hot-pink, amoeba-like, black-dotted shapes – meant to symbolize the energy of life and harmony between art and the environment – will be on display in the Ward Village Courtyard, as a preview to the Honolulu Biennial, which officially kicks off in 2017. This particular exhibit, which opens to the public on March 8, will mark the first time Kusama’s work has ever been displayed in Hawai’i.

Footprints of Life KUSAMA YAYOI, A Dream I Dreamed National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts 2015 ©YAYOI KUSAMA

According to the team curating and organizing the Biennial, “The selection of Kusama’s work as a preview piece reflects the vision of the founders to celebrate and engage art and artists from the Americas, Asia, and the Pacific, while the installation, demonstrates their commitment to providing accessible artistic opportunities for local residents and visitors alike.”

Footprints of Life Aichi Triennale 2010 2010 ©YAYOI KUSAMA

As Ward Village continues to develop, an appreciation of the arts will continue to be at the core of our growing neighborhood’s identity. Whether it’s supporting established local or international artists through exhibits like this, embracing urban muralists, or simply supporting art programs for Honolulu’s youth, Ward remains committed to ensuring that art remains an integral part of the city’s lifeblood.

Solo exhibition:”KUSAMA YAYOI, A Dream I Dreamed” Seoul Arts Centre 2014 ©YAYOI KUSAMA