The architects of Manchester’s newly named Aviva Studios, formerly known as Factory International, seem to have missed the memo. Despite the name change, I can’t help but envision Tony Wilson, the iconic founder of Factory Records, standing on the raised platform in the massive Warehouse space, pretending to be Andy Warhol. It’s as if Manchester has transformed into Wilson’s version of Warhol’s New York.
The Warehouse, with its colossal size and industrial aesthetic, appears to have drawn inspiration from the enigmatic album covers of Factory Records and the music of Joy Division. It’s a cavernous room that could easily host art exhibitions, concerts, or even a club. The opening event, titled “You, Me and the Balloons” by the renowned artist Yayoi Kusama, embodies elements of all three.
Everything in the exhibition is light and airy inflatables, allowing for limitless scalability. This is particularly fitting for the vast space of Aviva Studios, which can be compared to the Turbine Hall of London’s Tate Modern. Kusama’s psychedelic party is truly a breath of fresh air within this venue, with visitors lounging on giant inflatable cushions or waiting in line to see their reflections inside a sphere.
As you enter the venue, you are greeted by a colossal orange and black vestibule adorned with intertwining filaments, creating an enchanting atmosphere. Climbing a black steel staircase, you discover a pop art Garden of Earthly Delights from the gantry above.
Kusama, who started her career in 1960s New York, may be the last proponent of a certain kind of pure urban pop now that Warhol, Lichtenstein, and Oldenburg are gone. Her use of inflatables in this exhibition truly connects her to these legendary artists. The suspended skyborne forms bear resemblance to Warhol’s Silver Balloons, while the giant soft pumpkin is reminiscent of Oldenburg’s colossal stuffed objects.
However, Kusama’s art goes beyond the typical pop culture references. Her fascination with pumpkins, which may seem peculiar, actually showcases her careful observation of irregular, alien, and slightly freakish natural forms. The inflated pumpkin exudes a sense of majestic contentedness that brings a peculiar happiness.
Dots are a prevalent feature in Kusama’s work, expanding and contracting in flowing patterns throughout the exhibition. In a city once dominated by abstract expressionists, Kusama offers a disciplined system of dots that can be applied across various mediums, transforming Aviva Studios into a testament to her artistic imprint.
Critics may argue that Kusama’s style has become predictable and lacking depth, but such critiques fail to acknowledge the significance of modern art in reflecting our current society. Like Warhol, Kusama is unafraid to embrace the seemingly foolish to create art that resonates with our culture. The intensity behind the silliness is evident in the balloon forest that engulfs the exhibition space.
Kusama’s grand vision is an expression of her desperate need to be understood, a sentiment that is exemplified by her voluntary residence in a mental hospital in Tokyo. Like Vincent van Gogh, who saw irregular natural forms as reflections of his own being, Kusama’s oversized pumpkins transcend their commercial appeal and become a pop homage to Van Gogh’s Sunflowers.
Kusama’s grandiosity aims to achieve something simple and profound. “You, Me and the Balloons” is exactly what it promises to be – an opportunity for the artist to connect on a deeply emotional level with the audience. This raw artistic impulse is felt throughout the exhibition, leaving visitors happy, satisfied, and alive. Yayoi Kusama: You, Me and the Balloons will be on display at Aviva Studios in Manchester until August 28, 2023.
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