Kusama - Infinity

I have only one complaint about "Kusama: Infinity," and for me that would be that it is maybe a little too short. It is an ambitious documentary that attempts to delve not just into Yayoi Kusama's personal history, but also through popular art history of the late twentieth century. With an 80-minute runtime, it can't contain all of the artwork that Kusama has completed and can only lightly touch on her written work. Still, with art professors, curators, fans and Kusama herself, "Infinity" has a well-rounded cast of interviewees as well as more recent footage of Kusama at work in her studio.

For people unfamiliar with modern history and important events from the late 1920s forward, many of the artistic analyses of Kusama's work and life as well as stark presentations of archival footage can seem mysterious at best. For much of her time as a painter, sculptor and activist in New York City, it was difficult for her to find the same financial and artistic support that white male artists achieved, although appreciation of her art of that period is still fomenting today. The artist seems most alive when creating a new work, and although the camera doesn't linger overlong, there is enough historical and present day art-making with discussion of art and her life from her perspective that seeks to demystify her process, while still remain entertaining. Visual arts are focused on, in part, for this reason: it is difficult to translate her written work without also using audio and visual stimulus to maintain an audience's focus.

Yayoi's mental health is described in an expressive and frank manner: Her descriptions of her struggles and triumphs, in her own voice as well as a long trail of art throughout periods of great stress and also great joy are moving and intensified to great effect with music. I do not recommend this documentary for people who may be struggling with suicidal ideation or chronic anxiety, unless they may find a comfort or their own answers in experiencing someone else's difficult choices. I mention this because the artist has checked herself into a psychiatric institution for the past 30 years by choice, and it is something that has stabilized her and assisted her as she has become one of the most frequently exhibited living female artists in the world.