los lunares dondequiera que mires / polka-dots everywhere you look

"The world is but a canvas to the imagination."

-Henry David Thoreau

I have passed polka-dotted trees in Buenos Aires and seen pictures with people and objects covered in dots; I  needed to find out what the rage was all about! Yesterday I finally had the chance on a fun cultural outing to the MALBA (Modern Art Museum in Buenos Aires) for the extremely special exhibit, Obsesión infinita, or "Infinity Obsession" by the artist, Yayoi Kusama. This artist has an obsession with polka-dots so all of her works include dots, vivid colors, and/or bright lights. Kusama once said "she wanted to obliterate the world with polka dots".

Walking up to the museum, you see all the trees on the block are wrapped in polka-dotted sheets to advertise the exhibit, super fun! 

Since we went on the second to last day of the exhibit (and because people from Buenos Aires love their lines) we had to wait in line for over two hours to get our tickets, but it was worth it! We could have picked a better day to wait outside for two hours as it was raining and chilly, but at least there was a Starbucks two blocks away for hot drinks.

Tamara, me, and Emily after 2 1/2 hours in line

Once you get inside, they give you a sheet of polka-dots for the exhibit so obviously our first step was to decorate ourselves!

Kusama's works were all over the walls, canvases of bright colors made completely of polka-dots, an infinity mirror room showing the brilliance of light, a black lit room where only polka dots could be seen everywhere, 

 

and my favorite room, a room where you could be a part of the art by adding polka-dots to yourself and the objects already covered. There were chairs, books, frames, mirrors, cups, trees, and more full of dots!

Obsesión infinita was bright, fun, and a bit all over the place; it reminded me of my childhood and let me feel like a kid again for the day! If you have a chance to see it and can stand a random smattering of polka-dots and colors, it is for you. This exhibit has been to New York, London, Tokyo, and more; after Buenos Aires it will be heading to Brazil and Mexico. I am enjoying exploring my new city and all the colorfulness it has to offer!