This is the last week for the successful 'Walking in My Mind' exhibition at the Hayward Gallery on London's South Bank, a kind of journey into the consciousness of various exceptional modern artists. I visited the exhibition a while back and found it to be a mixed bag, as you might expect. I enjoyed the theme parkey feel to the exhibition, particularly with the works by Thomas Hischhorn's cave and Yoyoi Kusama's polka dot installation. For the most part it was an exciting and unsettling experience and was no less enjoyable for that.I would have to say that my stand out memory was of my friend Tracey and I out on the roof of the Hayward overlooking the city as the sun went down surrounded by Kusama's polka dots. People, mainly couples, were lounging on the astro turf and I was profoundly touched at how peaceful the scene was considering Kusama's reasons for using polka dots in her work.
It is no great secret that Yoyoi Kusama started to see dots as a child and for her represent salvation and probably also sadness, for she had a very unhappy childhood. That Kusama was able to use this disturbing psychological problem as an outlet for creativity is remarkable. A great gift for us all.
I also loved the fact the gallery is open late on a Friday, there is something very special about going to a gallery in the evening and wish more galleries did this.
LINK ATTACK:
Walking in My Mind
Interview with Yoyoi Kusama
