148. Narcissus Garden. Yayoi Kusama. Original installation and performance 1966. Mirror Balls.
Function and History
The artist originally featured the work as an uninvited participant in the 1966 Venice Biennale
Fifteen hundred large, mirrored, plastic balls were placed on a lawn under a sign that said “Your Narcissism for Sale”
The viewer is reflected seemingly into infinity in the mirrored surfaces
The artist offered the balls for sale for $2 each as a commentary on the commercialism and vanity of the current art world
The installation later moved to water, where the floating balls reflect the natural environment–and the viewers–around the work; water placement makes a stronger connection to the ancient myth
Balls move with the currents of the water and wind, reflecting organically made, ever-changing viewpoints
The installation has been exhibited in many places around the world, both in water and in dry spaces
Context
Narcissus Garden references the ancient myth of Narcissus, a young man who is so enraptured by his image in reflecting water that he stares at it indefinitely until he becomes a flower
There is a deeper meaning today as Narcissus Garden references modern obsessions with selfies and uploaded images on social media
Kusama is an internally renowned Japanese-bor artist
Got her start showing large works of art featuring huge polka dots
One of the foremost innovators of Happenings
Works in a wide variety of media, including installations
