Yayoi Kusama: Great art Explained

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 มิ.ย. 2024
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    Yayoi Kusama lives in a psychiatric institution, which she entered voluntarily in 1977. She is now in her nineties and still works every single day. Known for her repeated dot patterns, her work has been marked with obsessiveness and a desire to escape from trauma. In this video, I show that despite her quirky personality and her status as the most popular artist in the world, she is one of the most radical artists of all time.
    This is not a film about a specific artwork. This is a film about the simple polka dot. A dot that has obsessed Kusama for nine decades, from her struggle for recognition, to her later years as an art world sensation.
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    I would like to thank all my Patreon supporters, in particular Alan Stewart, Alexander Velser, David Abreu, Christa Sawyer, Griffin Edwards, Jennifer Baranaby, Kibbi Shaw, Nicholas Siebenlist, Paul Ark, Pau Waterman, Pawel Juszczyk, Theresa Garfink, Toni Ko, and Tyler Wittreich.
    "What a brilliant series this is" - Stephen Fry on Twitter 12 December 2020
    CREDITS
    SUBTITLES
    I input the English subtitles myself but I rely on volunteers to do subtitles for other languages and I really appreciate it - just contact me at jamespayne33@hotmail.com
    Chinese subtitles by Charles Xue
    French subtitles: Ludivine Desriac
    German Subtitles: Victoria Drabik
    Title Sequence by Brian Adsit (instagram brian_vfx?... and Behance www.behance.com/badsit88)
    All the videos, songs, images, and graphics used in the video belong to their respective owners and I or this channel does not claim any right over them.
    TV and FILMS
    • Yayoi Kusama | One of ...
    • How to paint like Yayo...
    • Yayoi Kusama: Infinity... .
    • Yayoi Kusama - Obsesse...
    Atomic bomb - • Atomic Bomb Wipes Out ...
    Dali - • 1950s Salvador Dali, S...
    Anti-war footage - • Opposition to the Viet...
    BOOKS
    Yayoi Kusama by Frances Morris
    Infinity Net: The Autobiography of Yayoi Kusama
    Yayoi Kusama (Lives of the Artists) by Robert Shore
    Music: Jazz - • JAZZ/BLUES MUSIC Fast ...
    "Theme" music: • Bensound: "Piano Momen... - www.bensound.com" or "Royalty Free Music from Bensound"
    All works are © Yayoi Kusama/ Yayoi Kusama Studio, Inc
    © Yayoi Kusama. Image courtesy Yayoi Kusama Studio Inc.; Ota Fine Arts, Tokyo; Victoria Miro Gallery, London; and Gagosian Gallery, New York.
    © Courtesy Ota Fine Arts, Tokyo/Singapore/Shanghai and Victoria Miro, London/Venice. © Yayoi Kusama.
    Footage © Tate
    Footage © Bloomberg
    All Artworks © YAYOI KUSAMA
    Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.
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  • @lynliberty4972
    @lynliberty4972 ปีที่แล้ว +91

    Thanks!

  • @VodeniMedved
    @VodeniMedved 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3014

    "Artist like Kusama, make us question our understanding of mental illness, and see it not as an "obstacle" but as just another part of the human condition." - Oh, I love this sentence.

    • @sarahwatts7152
      @sarahwatts7152 2 ปีที่แล้ว +34

      I also really like that part of her journey is about seeking treatment. So many people struggle a lot harder than they might need to, go it alone.

    • @chucknickerson9223
      @chucknickerson9223 2 ปีที่แล้ว +15

      Non-normative neural behavior is an obstacle to fitting in, but with work it can be so much more; with work.

    • @antoniolima1068
      @antoniolima1068 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      sense feminism came to power there is a relentless push to normalize mental unhealthy individuals, bravo, stunning and brave, when society decays because of your misplaced wishfull thinking dont cry wolf.

    • @fiscal-de-linha
      @fiscal-de-linha 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      this is not the progressive mantra you think it is??? it is a privileged person's dismissal of mentally ill people's suffering and horror. hallucinations arent fun ways of getting you cool art, sure they may have those creative outcomes, but they are horrifying and disturbing for the individual. that sentence you quoted is an awful, awful thing to say. a truly ignorant and cruel statement.
      other than that, the video was very interesting and informative, but that was a very mean thing to say, even if the intention was good, you ought to be more educated. i mean he even mentions van gogh, a man who mutilated himself, literally chopped off his own ear. "it's not an obstacle!! it boosts creativity!!" yes im sure van gogh loved the emotional and physical pain he was under. im sure it was easy for him to live like that. you MUST become a better person

    • @fiscal-de-linha
      @fiscal-de-linha 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      like yayoi literally checked herself into a hospital for the mentally ill and takes meds to keep her mind healthy and some dude on youtube is going "nooo dont become mentally healthy your art is so sexy aha mental illness isnt an obstacle i swear your suffering is irrelevant to me because your suffering produces art that i like" you know???? the lack of empathy is unbelievable

  • @JohnDrummondPhoto
    @JohnDrummondPhoto 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1026

    Years of art school education in the 1970s: lots of discussion of Oldenburg, Warhol, and Samaras. Not a word of Kusama. At least she's still alive to reap her rewards of recognition.

    • @rockyroad7345
      @rockyroad7345 ปีที่แล้ว +22

      Same here. I was an Art History minor in the late 70's, during which I took several post graduate level classes. Going thru my voluminous text books, I found one dismissive partial sentence naming her and Yoko Ono simply as "Japanese artists". This is such a fascinating lecture and yet as a non-artist, I identify strongly with her work having always been fascinated with polka dots. Her textiles are astonishingly beautiful.

    • @gnarbeljo8980
      @gnarbeljo8980 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      GADS that's just awful. She's well recognized in Scandinavia. Like Bourgeois she's one of those incredibly strong female artists who also have struggled with their baggage all their lives and made it big only very late in life, yet both have been making absolutely groundbreaking and entirely unique work since firever it seems like. Sexism, racism and chummy collective middleclass dictonomy in general in the art world needs to be obliterated for good.

    • @PHIre156
      @PHIre156 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      Was largely unfamiliar.. disappointing.

  • @coriolix
    @coriolix 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1431

    I've always wanted to see one of Kusama's installations in person, but I wasn't aware of how much she struggled and how her ideas were stolen. I'm so glad there are videos like this which can spread the knowledge. Thanks for taking the time to make it!

    • @aleamezquita5149
      @aleamezquita5149 2 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      it is beautiful. I just sat there, trully no more than a minute and stared... you lose yourself so fast

    • @f_r_e_d
      @f_r_e_d 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Def go next time!! I went twice with my friend Psilo and it was so worth it

    • @SolangeScarlette
      @SolangeScarlette 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      I really hope you get to they are incredible in person.

    • @Bubbaboowoo
      @Bubbaboowoo 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      2 hrs ago I managed to buy tickets to her exhibition at the Tate, check it out you will get tickets 🙏💖

    • @memeo8922
      @memeo8922 2 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      Her art wasn't stolen. All art is an imitation or inspiration of other art. It was the fact she was not acknowledged by the artists, which was probably because she wasn't liked by the art world at the time for her over promotion to achieve fame and/or because she was a woman.

  • @cynthiaignisdivine
    @cynthiaignisdivine 2 ปีที่แล้ว +465

    I'm so glad she got to experience fame in life, too many artists are only recognized for ther brilliance after death.

    • @brokenrecord3523
      @brokenrecord3523 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      It does question why we do art: for fame, for others, for ourself?

    • @Emlaladeo
      @Emlaladeo 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@brokenrecord3523all of the above

    • @GoldenWreck
      @GoldenWreck 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Yep, and she's still alive in her 90's and thriving.

  • @yunwahlam7456
    @yunwahlam7456 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1155

    When I saw the title of this video, I thought: "Kusama? In a serious art channel like this one?" Then, in your usual calm voice, you told us that attitudes like mine had almost destroyed her life. Thank you for teaching me a good lesson.

    • @GreatArtExplained
      @GreatArtExplained  2 ปีที่แล้ว +87

      Thank you - for taking the time to watch!

    • @Milubee
      @Milubee 2 ปีที่แล้ว +153

      I have to agree. My professor made her seem so uninteresting, mentioning her shortly as "the polka dot artist" only to rave about Oldenburg's soft scuptures for 3 hours a while later...

    • @l8dysyskeykisuke60
      @l8dysyskeykisuke60 2 ปีที่แล้ว +56

      @Yun Wah Lam it's the very reason why I collect her paintings and watercolors. I learned some very interesting things about her. I look at her hand strokes intensely and see her "working" on each section. Fact that her work is so controlled - as in how she applied it to the canvas itself, simple & so beautifully applied to the canvas and paper. She is still very much loved here in New York and to hear different aspects as one learns about her path, she's been inspiring me since I was a child and an adult who's had a legit art co-op. For me she still is far above Warhol. I don't like every series she's done BUT - People steal, Warhol was a jerky personality akin to any other self absorbed mama's boy with his own mental issues. I think for myself, Mr Warhol's lack of sympathy to other artists after I learned about him via a art school doc..with all of those men and women which included Yayoi, that helped in him the mass productions of his "fine" art -I would remember seeing her polka dots and smiling as a young woman. In NY then as it is now, is as cut throat as ever. In the art installation world. Kusama brought some very cool visuals over the years and I am happy to finally see her work gain the utmost respect. I love this woman's work.

    • @NefariousSpineLizard
      @NefariousSpineLizard ปีที่แล้ว +7

      @@l8dysyskeykisuke60 Omg can we see your collection somewhere!?

    • @l8dysyskeykisuke60
      @l8dysyskeykisuke60 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@NefariousSpineLizard Sorry darling, I wasn't planning on putting up my collection. If I do it would be a temporary installation locally in New York. Or on loan to one of the larger galleries in Manhattan. One day. In the meantime - if you can collect her work do so, I love looking at it - Pumpkin's

  • @runswithscissorsfull
    @runswithscissorsfull ปีที่แล้ว +309

    It's so heartbreaking to hear her story. They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but it says a lot when the guys take all the credit and become famous, and I've barely heard of Kusama. It's practically character assassination. I'm glad she's getting more recognition. Her art speaks to me

    • @itsgonnabeanaurfromme
      @itsgonnabeanaurfromme 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +10

      She is more well known nowadays than nearly all of those men. Except that talentless hack, warhol.
      Also, no that's not what character assassination means.

    • @brokenrecord3523
      @brokenrecord3523 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      How can one be disappointed with Andy Warhol. How can you have such high expectations?
      It seems, to me, that a lot of the art of the 60's and 70's was about attention. AW didn't steal her art, but her fame.

  • @akirebara
    @akirebara 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1491

    Imagine working months on your work only to be dismissed by the critics, and then a couple months later you hear those same critics applauding the plagiarized version of your work. Fact is, it was in the 50s/60s/70s and being an Asian woman artist was unheard of. Being a white, male artist who already had seats on the art world table... well, you get the picture.
    Ms. Kusama is currently 93 years old. I hope she knows how much the world loves her work today.

    • @dustyoldhat
      @dustyoldhat 2 ปีที่แล้ว +48

      imagine building a whole career out of an amazing style of art only to have a generation of people see it as nothing more than a background for selfies.

    • @akirebara
      @akirebara 2 ปีที่แล้ว +19

      @@dustyoldhat ugh, I know. I just hope that a tiny portion of them will Google Yayoi Kusama & inspire them to be artists themselves. But in this age of narcissism, I’m pessimistic.

    • @standupstraight9691
      @standupstraight9691 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Wouldnt be much of an artist without suffering.
      Or feeling sorry for oneself.

    • @dustyoldhat
      @dustyoldhat 2 ปีที่แล้ว +68

      @@standupstraight9691 That's just a toxic myth. Plenty of brilliant artists are very well adjusted and mentally healthy.

    • @biteaway8299
      @biteaway8299 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Art that craves recognition by the public / critics is not art but entertainment craftsmanship 😘

  • @elatedmaniac
    @elatedmaniac 2 ปีที่แล้ว +258

    Her story is so beautiful in its tragedy. It's really astounding how rebellious she was, despite her crippling anxiety and depression, coupled with the difficulty of being a woman and Asian in the art scene when she was.

    • @magictrees101
      @magictrees101 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Yeah she's pretty amazing really

  • @PsilocybinTherapy
    @PsilocybinTherapy 2 ปีที่แล้ว +526

    Honestly, this is the best video I've seen so far! Yayoi Kusama's life and work are beyond belief, but the way you expressed all this in such a short amount of time had me almost in tears at the very end!

    • @GreatArtExplained
      @GreatArtExplained  2 ปีที่แล้ว +14

      Thanks 🙏

    • @dustyoldhat
      @dustyoldhat 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      there's a real actual documentary about her that's worth seeing

    • @kevinromero245
      @kevinromero245 2 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      hands down, I thought the Bosch and Rothko ones were good, this was a perfect distillation of theory and cultural history and so much more. Love this channel so much

    • @JoseMoreno-yg5rs
      @JoseMoreno-yg5rs 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      I also was almost brought into tears lol

    • @crovaxxx1982
      @crovaxxx1982 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@dustyoldhat Why is this not considered a "real actual" documentary? Bit of a TV snob are we?

  • @ladykaydoesart7702
    @ladykaydoesart7702 2 ปีที่แล้ว +358

    Was not expecting Kusama, this is truly inspiring. I never knew that it was a way she was dealing with things internally.
    I feel like the recent popularity of her Infinity rooms has brought about things like the Van Gogh and Monet Experience exhibitions that are becoming so common.
    Amazing work as always, you make me want to teach art again.

  • @NightHawkExpress
    @NightHawkExpress 2 ปีที่แล้ว +147

    The way you drew comparisons to Kusama’s infinity rooms and the ultimate infinity room, the internet, was really beautiful.

  • @blubeagle55
    @blubeagle55 2 ปีที่แล้ว +162

    I am a female artist myself living with a disability. I don't say this lightly, because I despise when the word inspiration gets thrown out there so casually, but, Kusama-sensei, you are very much an inspiration to me and my own art. You are amazing, your work is amazing and I humbly thank you for being a trailblazer for someone like me.

    • @amb600cd0
      @amb600cd0 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      hell yeah brother 👊

    • @Usrthsbcufeh
      @Usrthsbcufeh ปีที่แล้ว

      She’s a blatant racist

  • @KidFresh71
    @KidFresh71 2 ปีที่แล้ว +209

    When I was around 10 years old, I would get terrible migraines and scream out to my mom: "The circles are eating me!" So I felt Kusama's visual hallucination deeply, or dots coming to life and consuming her.

    • @gnarbeljo8980
      @gnarbeljo8980 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Same, but I was 4-6 years old and it struck me when I laid down in bed to sleep. Very frightening. My dad stashed a matress under my bed and would lay down on the floor until I slept (often snoring before I fell asleep lol).
      I know what it's like to experience clinical depression. I deeply admire Kusamas work and ability to face the tremendous challenges with such strength and determination, and can only imagine her feelings of defeat when established white men got all the recognition for works derivative of hers that were discarded. Her infinity rooms were so incredibly before their time! She managed to introduce ideas far before artwork involving fractals, VR and computer renderings were even concieved, today often used the same way her installations were meant to: to alleviate acute angst. All of it is remarkable!

  • @ms.laterholmes2890
    @ms.laterholmes2890 ปีที่แล้ว +28

    I love the story of women Georgia O’Keeffe as one of my favorite all-time painters and that she found this woman in Japan was a little girl and she got to look at her books is fabulous

  • @puspaghalley1998
    @puspaghalley1998 2 ปีที่แล้ว +99

    I have been struggling artist for many years and when I watched this, i broke down because she held on. this means alot to me. this video has uplifted me. thank you so much for sharing

  • @f_r_e_d
    @f_r_e_d 2 ปีที่แล้ว +86

    Thank you for bringing light to Kusama’s work. I always loved her work and was unaware of people stealing from her but not surprised.
    For any young aspiring artist, please tread carefully when telling anyone your dreams. There are mediocre people with deep pockets and endless connections that can take your idea and run with it. I’ve experienced this and I know others who have. This is the art world. For every great original idea, you will have many replicas, but their work will have no soul. Don’t be defeated by this. Work on your ideas in silence. Find an angle of opportunity to display your work and do it. Some roads are longer than others but it’s your journey, stay focused ✊

    • @brandonsaunders7515
      @brandonsaunders7515 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Facts!

    • @ratridarmadi
      @ratridarmadi ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Thanks for this advice. I'm not artist and I'm not young anymore but it happened as well in academic workfield where others can steal yoir ideas and make it as if they are the expertise and pioneer🤷‍♀️

  • @kevintfaircloth
    @kevintfaircloth 2 ปีที่แล้ว +85

    It's astounding how Kusama has always been so far ahead of the times

  • @SuzanneBaruch
    @SuzanneBaruch 2 ปีที่แล้ว +84

    Wow. I studied modern art at a *women's college* and I don't recall any of my textbooks mentioning this talented artist. Her work is extraordinary! Thank you for sharing this.

    • @awkwardnerd.
      @awkwardnerd. ปีที่แล้ว +8

      The fact that it's women's college is pretty ironic

    • @SuzanneBaruch
      @SuzanneBaruch ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@awkwardnerd. yes ... it is.

    • @MTMF.london
      @MTMF.london ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@SuzanneBaruch But they all teach men's place on earth, their history and their achievements, don't they?

    • @ArchPandara
      @ArchPandara ปีที่แล้ว

      @@MTMF.london What does this mean?

    • @xyz7572
      @xyz7572 11 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      @@ArchPandara what is it you don’t get? Like this video shows several times, women’s accomplishments are often pushed down as men get or shamelessly _take_ credit for their work. It’s like that in all parts of life.
      Ever wondered why there have been so few female Nobel prize winners throughout history, for example? Apart from the fact that women were often completely dissuaded and banned from even entering higher education simply because of the fact that they had been born female, the brilliant women who _did_ manage to get higher education and went on to make great scientific discoveries often got little to no credit for their work anyway, as their male assistants or male coworkers got the credit for the female scientists’ work.
      Ever heard of Lise Meitner? No, I think not. She was one on the very forefront of physics and chemistry, and made discoveries that were so revolutionary within the field of radioactivity that they were awarded the Nobel prize. But they didn’t give it to her, because she was a woman. They gave it to her male lab assistant, who turned out to be selfish enough to readily accept being given credit for her work, getting a _massive_ amount of money and recognition within the scientific community for discoveries that their entire university knew _he_ hadn’t actually made. Subsequently, despite helping create an entire new field of scientific study, few people today have ever even heard her name. And she is just one example.
      The only reason Marie Curie was awarded her Nobel prizes was because when the Nobel committee tried to forcefully give the awards to her husband, he had backbone enough to refuse to take credit for his wife’s work. He, unlike many men who don’t mind taking easy credit for women’s accomplishments, respected her deeply, and since the discoveries were so groundbreaking that a significant amount of people knew about it and thought it should be awarded the prize, the committee couldn’t just pretend her discoveries didn’t exist or weren’t important in order to not let a women get the prize.
      And this happens everywhere, all the time, and all throughout history. These are just a few examples of extremely brilliant women who men have actively tried to take away credit from, there are millions more in all walks of life. Men always assume that other men are the ones who make discoveries or inventions, and then they use that faulty assumption as “evidence” that women are less intelligent and less accomplished, and then use _that_ faulty conclusion as a reasoning to why they think that women can’t invent things or discover things or create things. It’s circular reasoning created and upheld solely by the conviction of many men that women aren’t - and shouldn’t - be worthy of getting credit for what they actually do.

  • @vanceofthewall475
    @vanceofthewall475 2 ปีที่แล้ว +191

    Haven't studied art formally, but just hearing you talk about it with such passion is so refreshing! Hope your channel keeps growing!!

    • @hannahrobbins1017
      @hannahrobbins1017 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      I second that! Art history is one of the classes I’ve always regretted not taking in college

    • @emanuelcarvalho8510
      @emanuelcarvalho8510 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@hannahrobbins1017 never to late to do it :)

    • @MTMF.london
      @MTMF.london ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@hannahrobbins1017 Art history classes hardly cover female artists.

  • @constancewalsh3646
    @constancewalsh3646 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    It's not the plagiarism, which exists in every area of life, it is the lack of acknowledgement, respect, gratitude, unity toward those upon whose shoulders we stand. I see it in every sphere, and it saddens me. It contributes in great part to the isolation, depression and pain of persons, especially artists, who tend to have profound, and profoundly felt, emotional wounds, and who gift us with their ways of making connections to our bleeding wounds and to the depths of others. Thank you for this magnificent video on an artist I did not know of.

  • @myosotiskills
    @myosotiskills ปีที่แล้ว +87

    Im going to see her infinity rooms in a few weeks! I'm so glad this video popped up in my recommendeds so I could learn more about her before visiting. I was excited before, and now I feel like i will appreciate and respect the experience even more.

  • @mackenziekarsonovich1073
    @mackenziekarsonovich1073 2 ปีที่แล้ว +49

    My grandmother had schizophrenia and also loved to paint. She would paint faces or birds on gourds, or little houses on blocks of wood. I think that’s why I love Kusama’s work so much, even before I knew about her mental illness.

  • @12thDecember
    @12thDecember 2 ปีที่แล้ว +60

    "Filled With the Brilliance of Light" reminds me of neurons firing in the brain.
    Thank you for producing this video. I had never heard of Yayoi Kusama, and am deeply impressed not only by her imaginative and stunning art, but also by the extraordinary strength of her will and almost supernatural talent.

  • @koleyw932
    @koleyw932 ปีที่แล้ว +36

    Her affliction has given the world beauty.

  • @daughterofsekhmet81
    @daughterofsekhmet81 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    I had never heard of her until a few days ago when I was on a fashion forum. They were discussing the new LV Kusama collection and I thought the dots were just quirky pop art stuff, but holy crap I have so much respect for this amazing lady now. I bought a wallet from the collection mainly for the cute pumpkin stamp on the inside but after watching this I’m honored to own a piece of her art. I know she didn’t make the wallet herself or anything but now every time I look at it I’ll remember and appreciate what those dots represent. As someone who struggles with mental health myself, it’s hard the keep going sometimes and Yayoi is an inspiration.

  • @raulpinto2436
    @raulpinto2436 2 ปีที่แล้ว +31

    "Each image they take of Infinity room joins the Internet, itself Infinite" Kusawa achieved something beyond even her imagination! Thank you for this video.

  • @jackwalter5030
    @jackwalter5030 2 ปีที่แล้ว +27

    This was brilliant. I am 65, and only began hearing of Kusama's work in the last twenty or thirty years. Her life shows us how minority women artists are marginalized and dismissed, much to the detriment of our culture. Thank you for doing this video!

  • @satbiym5378
    @satbiym5378 2 ปีที่แล้ว +16

    I remember right before I saw the infinity mirrored room (the souls of millions of light years away) at The Broad in Los Angeles, whilst standing in the queue to be the next set of people inside the room for 60seconds. I happened to read the museum info card, which struck a chord in me and primed me to go inside the room with the reverence it deserved.
    A lot of art is about showing the world through the artist's point of view, about helping the audience walk in their shoes. But Yayoi Kusama managed to do what few can and the room in particular, like the Broad info card said, "offers an unusual glimpse into the workings of a mind that is seldom quiet. (...) Kusama confronts the immensity of reality by searching at once for infinitude and oblivion."
    The way the lights in the room would flicker on and off, and in such a way that appropriately visualized the happenings of my own experience with my own mind. Like you mentioned, this room might seem simple and silly at first, but the 60 seconds I was in that room was enough to humble, validate and confirm my own lived experiences and assert that I was not alone in this experience. So, I am forever in debt to Yayoi Kusama for that.
    I liked what you said about "many people want to separate the art from the artist('s personal struggles). But why should they? yayoi kusama's works are deeply personal to her lived experience and her art allows us to see her illness as not the only thing about her, but one part of her greater whole" which is the point.
    I was in tears by the end of this video, your take impressed upon the audience how personal and yet also steadying this work was to Kusama without exploiting the reasons why. I am very grateful to have seen this. The first thing I did when I got the notif for this video was call my mom and tell her that your yt channel (I have recced this channel to everyone I know ahaha, so they knew why exactly who i was referring to) had done a piece on yayoi kusama and how excited I was to watch it. This video definitely delivered on that excitement appropriately. Thank you for your hard work.
    Thank you.

  • @GreatArtExplained
    @GreatArtExplained  2 ปีที่แล้ว +151

    Please leave a comment (even a short one) and "like" the video. It really helps promote the channel on TH-cam. I appreciate it! James

    • @laotze3439
      @laotze3439 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      thank you for your work!

    • @ladykaydoesart7702
      @ladykaydoesart7702 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Thank you so much to your contribution to the art world by making these videos and furthering all of our understandings of these great work, locations, and artists.
      I would really like to see a piece on The Black Paintings by Franscisco Goya. Always been fasinated by the idea that they were painted without the intention of ever being seen by the public.

    • @JJONNYREPP
      @JJONNYREPP 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      i think that yentob did a film on her... th-cam.com/video/n8J0nn97Nwg/w-d-xo.html

    • @eriktempelman2097
      @eriktempelman2097 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Done. Thanks.

    • @GreatArtExplained
      @GreatArtExplained  2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@ladykaydoesart7702 That is planned!

  • @JackieBaisa
    @JackieBaisa 2 ปีที่แล้ว +75

    I am so glad I found your channel. Even though your videos are just 15-20 minutes, I feel like you do a short deep-dive into the lives of the artists you feature here. Fascinating! You don't just skim the surface. This one was no exception. Thank you.

  • @DavidLovins67
    @DavidLovins67 ปีที่แล้ว +14

    Wow, I went to art school for years, and she was never mentioned. I love her work.

  • @aiyannaboykins7888
    @aiyannaboykins7888 2 ปีที่แล้ว +41

    I love Kusama! I have a mini art book of some of her work, it's called "Hi, Konnichiwa". I love her paintings of polka-dot pumpkins, flowers, and mushrooms. Great video as always!

  • @disharibera1534
    @disharibera1534 2 ปีที่แล้ว +25

    Kusama having lived through the century (a period of unprecedented global turbulence and seismic shifts in every sphere imaginable), imbibed the radical/unapologetic global persona that defied conventionalism with gritty determination. She has championed her cause against biases (be it gender, or otherwise) with such artistic brilliance that it is almost impossible to not be awed by her achievements. Her tryst with mental illness, and the subsequent cathartic expression of it in her visceral works, not only makes her stand apart from other artists, but also creates an intimate space of unique familiarity, that both lulls and shocks the audience in tandem. Thank you for such a brilliant video! The research and dedication put into it, shines through.

  • @contemporaryartissue
    @contemporaryartissue 2 ปีที่แล้ว +33

    Terrific video, James. My congratulations. One of the most comprehensive and accessible overviews on Yayoi Kusama's life and work. My best wishes from Belgium, Julien (CAI director)

    • @GreatArtExplained
      @GreatArtExplained  2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Thanks Julienne - I’m a fan of your channel so I appreciate the compliment 🙏

    • @contemporaryartissue
      @contemporaryartissue 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@GreatArtExplained The pleasure is all mine!

  • @nickbreslin6371
    @nickbreslin6371 2 ปีที่แล้ว +18

    That last quote…. She must have felt extreme isolation throughout her life. Amazing that she fought this by creating communal experiences.

  • @taylorparker6813
    @taylorparker6813 2 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    It's hard to describe the joy i experienced when i saw a new Great Art episode, and then when i saw it was Kusama?! Pure joy. Amazing job. Thank you.

  • @shaktiwood7508
    @shaktiwood7508 2 ปีที่แล้ว +24

    My goodness. This was such a breathtaking and moving piece. She’s such an incredible artist but so much pain and injustice lie beneath such seemingly lighthearted and fantastical works. It brings so much depth and a completely new perspective on her work. Thank you!!

  • @fairlysleepy
    @fairlysleepy 2 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    I never thought I'd cry at an art video but here I am 😭 She's so inspiring and a role model to all those Asian women out there.

  • @diellensy27
    @diellensy27 2 ปีที่แล้ว +14

    I've never heard of this artist before. Thanks for enlightening me.
    I still can't believe I'm not watching something produced by a big production company or network. Quality of your videos are top tier.

  • @rebeccaketner816
    @rebeccaketner816 ปีที่แล้ว +41

    Love, respect and adore this great lady, and her art.

  • @treatsdomi9581
    @treatsdomi9581 2 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    Her quote at the end is so simple, but cant help but think it reflects her feelings pretty well

  • @Myluz12
    @Myluz12 2 ปีที่แล้ว +44

    Woah, what's astounding is almost everything is a hindrance to her art career, but that passion and drive of hers is so enduring. It's the first time I've heard of her story and as an artist myself, it's genuinely inspiring. Great video and choice of artist to feature.

  • @RaineHoltz
    @RaineHoltz 2 ปีที่แล้ว +27

    I'll never get over how good your channel is. Everything is wonderfully made: images, text, concepts and narration no less. Never stop what you do, please!

  • @nickinportland
    @nickinportland 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    These videos should have millions of views. I don’t know if I’ve ever watched a TH-cam channel that is so expertly narrated.

  • @bevanmorgan3946
    @bevanmorgan3946 2 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Thank you for another wonderful entry. Your ability to succinctly present so much info in such an accessible way is exceptional.

  • @prd1073
    @prd1073 2 ปีที่แล้ว +16

    Thank you for this thoroughly absorbing video. I'm glad this artist has finally achieved the fame that the misogynist "art world" denied her for so many decades.

  • @Lumophobia
    @Lumophobia ปีที่แล้ว +6

    This brought me to tears as someone with OCD and an artist myself watching her achive obliteration brought alot of emotion out of me

  • @917095sin
    @917095sin 2 ปีที่แล้ว +54

    Brilliant! Its so wild how many people she’s “influenced” over the years! People that I knew of but had no idea about her!

  • @bunnyhopd7315
    @bunnyhopd7315 2 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    My favourite TH-cam channel

  • @GreatArtExplained
    @GreatArtExplained  2 ปีที่แล้ว +16

    Great Art Explained totally unique merchandise available here - crowdmade.com/collections/greatartexplained

  • @argon1613
    @argon1613 2 ปีที่แล้ว +18

    This channel is the best art channel on the internet. I've rewatched every video at least three times because of all the information on them. Thank you.

  • @ericdoe2318
    @ericdoe2318 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I was just rewatching your videos just now and a new one! What a day

  • @tipGasm
    @tipGasm 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Another absolute BANGER video, Thanks for all you do!

  • @juaokane5864
    @juaokane5864 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    so glad you covered her! she's been my favourite contemporary fine artist for years. when i was a teenager my sister and i flew to stockholm to see a major retrospective of her work because we were both such big fans ❤️ it was incredibly special getting to see *so* much of her work in that exhibition, i'll always treasure the experience.

  • @ameliamelia104
    @ameliamelia104 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Your last two videos (Botticelli and Yayoi Kusama) are what I've been waiting for so much from your channel. Thank you so much for your incredible work🙌

  • @user-zq7dk4fk2y
    @user-zq7dk4fk2y ปีที่แล้ว +8

    I love her artwork. She is amazing.

  • @perlezhitnitskiy4444
    @perlezhitnitskiy4444 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Another excellent video! Thank you! I learned a lot about Kusama and her art but also her struggles in the early days.

  • @Elle0704
    @Elle0704 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Kismit. I saw the upcoming Louis Vuitton collection with Yayoi, but didn’t know anything about her. To have your video pop up in my recommendations proves the algorithm sometimes works. As always, thank you for an amazing art history lesson I could watch in my pajamas and not leave the house.

  • @alainawilson918
    @alainawilson918 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I was thrilled when I saw a new video was up! Thank you for an excellent look into Kusama’s work

  • @katiehicks3575
    @katiehicks3575 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Beautifully done!!! I love her work and appreciate her openness about how her mental health has affected her art. As a therapist who sees many artists, I will definitely be suggesting this video to some of my clients. Thank you again for these videos!

  • @Fisklina
    @Fisklina 2 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    I remember seing an exhibition of hers at Moderna Museet in Stockholm a few years back. Even the park outside had the trees covered in polka dots. It was a truly awesome exhibition and I really enjoyed the enormous polka dot paintings and infinity rooms. My favourite was a dark room filled with polka dot painted rice lamps hanging from the ceiling above shallow reflective pools of water with a walking path snaking its way through the room.

  • @pauline5515
    @pauline5515 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    thank you so puch for making me discover kusama's work, i had never heard of her but it's fascinating, i'll definitely be on the lookout for any exhibition on her career now

  • @kehhab
    @kehhab 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I've recently discovered this channel. Thank you for making these. Thank you for being a catalyst for my journey of a deeper understanding of the arts. Your videos are insightful and give me a greater understanding of the artist and what inspired their works. TY TY.

  • @diagon5711
    @diagon5711 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Your channel has seriously introduced me to such amazing works. From your delivery, research, and overall effort put into these videos I have come to appreciate art so much more. Thank you.

  • @ulicirebeca4038
    @ulicirebeca4038 2 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    I've been waiting for this one for awhile now! Thank-you for this, I have a very important work that requires a thesis and your videos helped me so much!

  • @PinkieSugar
    @PinkieSugar 2 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    This was unexpectedly shocking/intruiging! I was so absorbed throughout the whole video, Kusama is such a fascinating character and important piece of modern art history. She is a true artist. So many creative and original ideas

  • @nataliecolombo4914
    @nataliecolombo4914 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    As a complete art novice with no prior knowledge of the art world, your videos have made it both interesting and accessible. I look forward to watching each one! They help me understand and appreciate art in a much more thoughtful way. Thank you!

  • @katieeckler7543
    @katieeckler7543 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    These videos are truly inspiring and beautifully done. I literally clapped after watching this. Thank you for sharing Kusama’s work 💕

  • @jaendhoe3962
    @jaendhoe3962 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    this was so beautiful and heartbreaking in such a short amount of time. fantastic work!

  • @revontulet
    @revontulet 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    This video gave me goosebumps. I never really knew why she was famous, even though I’ve seen some of her art before. Thank you for this.

  • @kaeson359
    @kaeson359 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    This was lovely. Thank you for this, sir. I can honestly say that of all the content I consume, your videos are the ones I look forward to the most. Not only is this wonderfully researched, written, and edited, but it is inspirational. It has made me pick up my pens and start drawing again. I'm sure you know, but it's surprised me just how much these stories really matter. Thank you.

  • @hereqnow
    @hereqnow 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I am so glad that her works are being recognized throughout the world now. Thank you so much for such a touching and inspiring video.

  • @dergluckliche4973
    @dergluckliche4973 2 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    LOVE HER!
    The infinity room at the Broad in L.A. is mind-bending! Just wish the museum didn't rush people in and out of there, but I understand everyone wants to experience it.

  • @Crunyil
    @Crunyil 2 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    Really interesting video! I always love learning about different talented artists and how they impacted the culture.

  • @patrickross5509
    @patrickross5509 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    So glad I got to learn about this fascinating artist. Thank you so much, James Payne. Great work as always

  • @parhamjosh
    @parhamjosh 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Yay! My favorite TH-camr posted another video! Thank you, I learn so much from you every time.

  • @catherine4091
    @catherine4091 2 ปีที่แล้ว +23

    This was absolutely gorgeous to watch. I love art but have always struggled with the analysis and historical context--thank you for making such thorough and well-researched videos!

  • @iamrjdennis
    @iamrjdennis 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    One of my favorite artists! Well done on this video, James, as always! 😊

  • @colinbinswanger8290
    @colinbinswanger8290 ปีที่แล้ว

    My first video of yours I ever saw was on The Great Wave a few months ago and I recently started going through the whole catalogue, and I gotta say that the depth of your research and the technical skill and pacing of your editing is what keeps me coming back. And that voice...casual assuredness bundled in 16 mins, what a treat! Keep it up man.

  • @karonyful
    @karonyful 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks so much for doing an episode on Kusama. I was really fortunate to visit her retrospective in Tate Modern in 2012 and it was the most impressive art show I've ever been to. Your video reminded me of many of her pieces I saw there and all the memories and emotions came back flooding. She is a total genius. Thanks again!

  • @ediesedgwick4462
    @ediesedgwick4462 2 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    The ambition, determination, drive and motivation of Kusama is unbelievable, especially in light of all that she went through. If one could bottle it, I'd absolutely pay top dollar for it.

  • @sammyb1001
    @sammyb1001 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Just saw my first Kusama exhibit and totally BLOWN. AWAY. The absolute beauty of it gave me an insight into seeing inside the Milky Way. Thank you. Thank you for going on despite the family poison. You are beautiful.

  • @HollandHillSpies
    @HollandHillSpies 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Superb production quality. What a treat to watch your videos on great artists. I'm a lifelong admirer of Yayoi Kusama and still managed to learn from your video. Thank you!

  • @shevloo4559
    @shevloo4559 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thank you for this beautiful video on Kusama. She is one of my favourite artists and I’ve had the pleasure of attending her exhibitions and seeing her works up-close. She is an inspiration to women

  • @letterZach
    @letterZach 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Thanks for covering her. It's eye opening and inspiring to hear her journey as a female artist.

  • @gabeforrest3889
    @gabeforrest3889 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    i am an avid fan of this channel and of kusama so seeing a video from you on her gave me a good heart attack this is so cool

  • @VodeniMedved
    @VodeniMedved 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Wow, what a clip! I've never heard of Yayoi Kusama before and I really liked the way you presented it. Editing, story and background music fit perfectly into the video. I learned something new today, thank you.

  • @TheViktorious1
    @TheViktorious1 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I just have to thank you for your content. I really am amazed that I am able to have access to something so well produced as this, and for free! Great video as always. And again, thank you so much!

  • @kellybeck4579
    @kellybeck4579 2 ปีที่แล้ว +26

    Ooh, a highlight of a female artist? Yes, please!

  • @Writerdane
    @Writerdane 2 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Thank you for another excellent video! I went to Tokyo and visited a museum dedicated to her in a suburb north of shinjuku. It was quite small but it showed a lot of her early work. There was only one infinite room, also an early work i think. While I do not fully understand her and her art, i relate to her better than most artistic geniuses. Stepping into one of her infinite rooms is like glimpsing into the thought processes of God. I never expected to be so moved by it. One day i hope to see one of her obliteration rooms.

  • @tuanlenguyenminh4461
    @tuanlenguyenminh4461 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I love how well you structure your words and sentences. It is impactfull and meaning and value to the story you are telling

  • @MyMessyMind
    @MyMessyMind 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I'd like to thank you for opening up my eyes about Kusama. I'd heard of her briefly before and immediately pegged her work as pompous abstract art, something anyone could produce. I see now how important context is to truly see the bigger picture in her art. Great work, keep it up man.

  • @MrFatsluttytone
    @MrFatsluttytone 2 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    Like others in this comments section, I came in very cynical and skeptical. Thanks for setting me straight! Being that she has been an artist her entire life, it's really quite tragic that Yayoi did not reach the level of relevance she so desired until her 90's. Wow. It just goes to show how much the world had to change and evolve for her to find her rightful place in the art world. She really was and perhaps still is ahead of her time. Great video!

  • @chinesecabbagefarmer
    @chinesecabbagefarmer 2 ปีที่แล้ว +14

    BROOO NEW GAE DROPPED! Yessss. i dont want this excitement to come across as patronizing. i feel as though brevity is best in this situation though i could gush for hours about how your channel literally changed my life. its great. you're great. keep going until you stop.
    until you stop man
    you can only keep going
    enjoy yourself please
    have a haiku. fresh

  • @brendanmoi
    @brendanmoi 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I love your videos very much. The way you connect the artist with their work in both a personalized and emotional way... it's incredibly insightful.
    You never do a simple regurgitation of plain facts. You're always giving us their stories, their life experiences, their struggles as important context, that more often than not directly influence the outcomes of their work, which is infinitely more engaging and fascinating. You go beyond the surface level and tell us how these great artists got here in the first place through investigating the surrounding norms of their times, the societal values and political climate they lived in... there's a very humanizing aspect to how you present your information.
    And that's something I really appreciate: The humane and empathetic aspect to your videos. It can be easy to forget that there was a living, breathing person behind these works, and even easier so to reduce and objectify these artists down to simply culminations of their works, or dates and techniques on a page. For that, I'm really appreciative and grateful.
    Personally, your videos are a golden standard to how I feel people should teaching be art history or history in general! Truly wonderful work you're doing. Thank you so much for all your hard work!

  • @seekittycat
    @seekittycat 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    She's an inspiration and always reminds me of how art can help

  • @gilliani.4328
    @gilliani.4328 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I’m so glad that Kusama is FINALLY getting the positive recognition she always deserved. The art world has always been a man’s world and women’s art had rarely been a acknowledged. Bravo Kusama for never giving up!

  • @juniorjames7076
    @juniorjames7076 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    A brilliant and engaging analysis as usual. Your channel is a joy.

  • @TheCupcake1029
    @TheCupcake1029 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Just recommended your channel to my drawing professor today. And a friend of mine who is an art teacher uses your videos in her classroom since I told her about the channel. Absolutely love all the videos! Thank you!