Yayoi Kusama’s famed Infinity Mirror concept is going to “survive forever” at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AG0).
Thanks to the David Yuile & Mary Elizabeth Hodgson Fund and over 4,700 #InfinityAGO donors who participated in the AGO’s ambitious crowdfunding campaign, Yayoi Kusama’s anticipated Infinity Mirrored Room – Let’s Survive Forever is now part of the AGO Collection.
Opening to the public on May 25, the permanent Infinity Mirrored Room reflects Kusama’s visual language that’s spanned her 60-plus years of creating her famed visions of infinity. With camera phones set and ready (don’t leave home on a low battery), guests enter the magical space to find stainless steel orbs suspended from the ceiling and arranged on the floor. A mirrored central column offers a peep show-like chamber that invites visitors to gaze into an infinite field of silver orbs. The space is larger than most Infinity Mirror Rooms, and up to four visitors can enter the work one at a time, where they can spend one minute inside (and yes, there’s a timer).
Even though it saturated social media feeds for months, it seems Torontonians couldn’t get enough of Kusama’s captivating Infinity Mirrors after their stint in the city last spring at the AGO. Launched last November, the #InfinityAGO campaign engaged with thousands of people to raise funds to bring the artwork to Toronto forever. From first-time donors to long-time AGO supporters, over 4,700 people supported #InfinityAGO, with donations ranging from $1 to $25,000. It is the first contemporary artwork acquired in Canada through a major crowdfunding campaign – and likely not the last.
“We know that the people of Toronto have a special bond with Yayoi Kusama, and I am excited to see that grow,” said Stephan Jost, the AGO’s Michael and Sonja Koerner Director, and CEO. “Support from individuals is critical to the AGO’s mission to bring people and art together. That this incredible artwork now belongs to the people of Ontario is testament to the power of people coming together. Together, we achieved infinity.”
While the general public will have to wait to get all reflective inside of the room, #InfinityAGO donors and will see the shiny new piece of work first (beginning April 5) and AGO Members get a sneak peek beginning on April 23.
Photos by Nick Lee