"Near Equal Yayoi Kusama: I Adore Myself" showing at Japan Cuts

by Chris MaGee

Ever since she was a girl Yayoi Kusama has been caught up in the "infinity nets". Growing up in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture she experienced these visions of polka dots and webs, patterns extrapolated from table clothes and flowers that covered her entire universe. She also suffered from obsessive compulsive disorder, severe depression and suicidal thoughts. It wasn't until she was 27 and arrived in New York City did this troubled young woman adapt these hallucinations to art becoming one of the most acclaimed avant-garde artists of the 20th century. She has exhibited alongside Andy Warhol and Jasper Johns and Yoko Ono has cited her as a major influence, but her name is still not well known outside of museums and galleries.

Hopefully that situation will change with Takako Matsumoto's new documentary, "Near Equal Yayoi Kusama: I Adore Myself" showing in New York City on July 12th as part of The Japan Society's Japan Cuts: Festival of New Japanese Film running from July 2nd to 13th. Matsumoto visits Kusama in the mental institution where she's voluntarily lived since the early 70's and follows her progress as she works on a series of 50 new drawings.

Check out the subtitled trailer below for what proves to be a fascinating look at a unique artist: