Episode 44: Yayoi Kusama: Finding Infinity in Polka Dots

We’ve rocked around the Christmas tree, we’ve opened our presents, and now we sit—desperate and ready to pop champagne and say “sayonara!” to 2020. However, before we dive into the new year, we here at BYWAP couldn’t help ourselves and we had to share some together to sing the praises and bemoan the tragedies of the incredible artist: Yayoi Kusama. Queen of polka dots and Master of Infinity (Rooms), she has been celebrated and praised in the contemporary for being an #instagramable artist.... but, she is so much more than that!

Join us as we say goodbye to 2020 with hearts full of joy, contemplate how decades of trauma can affect the human condition, become obsessed with Kusama and her polka dots, and advocate for affordable and accessible mental health care.

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Our music was written and recorded by Elene Kadagidze.

Our cover art was designed by Lindsey Anton-Wood.

List of Public Sources:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yayoi_Kusama

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRZR3nsiIeA

• http://yayoi-kusama.jp/e/biography/index.html

• https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20180925-yayoi-kusamas-extraordinary-survival-story

• http://filmslie.com/watch-yayoi-kusama-self-obliteration-dissolve-identity/

• https://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/13/arts/design/yayoi-kusama-at-whitney-museum-of-american-art.html

• https://news.artnet.com/art-world/yayoi-kusama-documentary-1343456?gclid=Cj0KCQiAtqL-BRC0ARIsAF4K3WH5eRkNkfp0siu1tbG0NF84Gkyoo5FqNl6WfZaDjBZqUbfF5vw0Q9MaAv3QEALw_wcB

• https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/article/odd-couples-12-artist-friends

• https://hyperallergic.com/587603/kusama-the-graphic-novel-by-elisa-macellari/

• https://www.forbes.com/sites/rebeccasuhrawardi/2020/04/17/a-message-from-yayoi-kusama-to-the-whole-world/

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUoDUhsWJL8

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reVBAbo5VU8