Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, known for her immersive polka-dot patterns and celebrated "Infinity Mirror Rooms," died Aug. 14 at a Tokyo hospital at age 97. Her work, however, continues to be experienced by New Yorkers in unexpected public spaces, often without requiring a museum ticket.
One prominent example is Kusama's permanent glass mosaic, "A Message of Love, Directly from My Heart unto the Universe," located at Grand Central Madison. Commissioned for the Long Island Rail Road terminal, the 2022 artwork spans the Madison Concourse between East 46th and 47th streets. The mosaic, which expands on her "My Eternal Soul" series begun in 2009, features bold colors and fantastical forms, aiming to convey themes of love, the universe, and peace, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Kusama had expressed hope that the work would bring joy to commuters passing through the station.
Travelers encountering the mosaic have noted its vibrant colors and inspiring designs. Sandrine Gold, a teacher from Port Washington who stopped to photograph the artwork, described it as "amazing" and said the colors were immediately attention-grabbing and inspirational for her students. Her experience highlights how Kusama's art can be discovered serendipitously, a contrast to the significant public demand and long waits typically associated with her gallery and museum exhibitions, such as the popular "Infinity Mirror Rooms."
Beyond Grand Central Madison, Kusama's presence in New York has included other public displays. For several years, a large bronze sculpture of her signature pumpkin design was a fixture at SKY, a rental tower located at 605 W. 42nd Street. The "Pumpkin" sculpture, installed in 2016, was a notable piece that brought Kusama's distinctive polka-dot motif to the building's entrance. The sculpture is no longer at the property.
Kusama first moved to New York in 1958, immersing herself in the city's avant-garde art scene and developing early iterations of her "Infinity Net" paintings, alongside experiments in sculpture, performance, and installation art. She returned to Japan in the 1970s. Her decades-long career eventually saw her work gain international acclaim, with exhibitions drawing massive crowds and commanding high prices in the art market. For many New Yorkers, however, her artistic legacy continues to be accessible through these unplanned encounters with her work in the urban landscape.