One with Eternity: Yayoi Kusama in the Hirshhorn Collection

February 1, 2023

[Note: This was originally published on KidFriendly DC in April 2022, but has been updated for District Mix.]

A lot of us had been anticipating One with Eternity: Yayoi Kusama in the Hirshhorn Collection for a long time. The exhibit was originally scheduled to start running in spring of 2020, but, well, we all know what happened. It finally opened April 1, 2022, and the wait for it, especially after all that we and the world went through, made it even more exciting, more vivid, and more meaningful now.

The exhibit is smaller than Kusama’s Infinity Mirrors, which was an absolute sensation. This time there are just five major pieces, all of them part of the Hirshhorn’s permanent collection. Two infinity rooms (including one from the last exhibition) and the yellow and black polka dot Pumpkin are sure to be the most popular (ie, Instagrammed). Infinity Mirrored Room–My Heart is Dancing into the Universe is my favorite, a colorful, trippy walk-through that immerses you in glowing orbs and polka dots.

Other elements of the exhibit are also really interesting. Don’t miss the timeline of Kusama’s life and work, which is fascinating. You can learn that she sewed parachutes in a military factory during World War II, how she wrote a letter to Georgia O’Keefe seeking advice on being an artist in the US (and got a response), that dots have been part of her work for a long time, she has written novels, and many more interesting details of her personal and artistic history.

While the last Kusama exhibit at the Hirshhorn was here for less than three months, this one is running much longer, through Spring 2023. With more time for a chance to see it, passes are easier to obtain. And I highly recommend going. It really will make your heart dance. 💕

How to see One with Eternity
Next-day passes to the exhibit are released daily at noon on the Hirshhorn website. All visitors age 12 and up must have a pass. Children ages 12 and under do not need a pass if they are accompanied by an adult passholder. Each adult passholder may bring up to two children into the exhibition and each Infinity Mirror Room.

You can also become a Hirshhorn Insiders member and reserve an available date in advance to experience the exhibit. Hirshhorn Insider memberships start at $100.

Tips & More Info
* The exhibit doesn’t take a long time to tour, so plan to visit he rest of the Hirshhorn or other nearby museums while you’re there.
* Check for any special events going on when you’re planning to visit, like museum tours, storytime for children, or opportunities to create your own art,
* Strollers are allowed in the exhibition galleries but not inside either of the Infinity Mirror Rooms.