Kusama: Cosmic Nature

I couldn't help but wonder what Enid Haupt, for whom the glass conservatory at the New York Botanical Garden is named after her fortune rescued it from collapse, would have reacted to "Cosmic Nature," the Yayoi Kusama friendly takeover.  "Nature is my religion," Haupt said more than once.  She adored orchids.

My Soul Blooms Forever

Kusama is more a polka dot girl.  She came of age in the '60s.

Ascension of the Polka Dots on Trees

Visitors to "Flower Obsession" are each given a detachable plastic flower and sternly told to leave it behind in a greenhouse-like structure. Joyous interactivity is so much easier than actual horticulture!

Look carefully here and you'll see a camouflaged bicycle.  I affixed my flower to the underside of the seat.

Thom joined Florian and I for our afternoon visit on another steamy afternoon.  Yes, Arko came too.  Can you find him?

The bright sun illuminated the flowers.

"I Want to Fly to the Universe" appears to hover over the reflecting water. 

There's an aptly named "Narcissus Garden"for the Instagram generation.

As much as I enjoyed Kusama's art, it really can't compete with nature.  The gardens are immaculately tended.

From bud to blossom.

"Hymn of Life--Tulips" looks gaudy by comparison.

This young woman obsessed Thom and me.  Who knew bedroom slippers could be such chic daywear?

Pumpkins obsess Kusama.  

Starry Pumpkin

"Dancing Pumpkin" doesn't really look like one.

Although it does kind of mirror the conservatory. Thom certainly wore the right shirt for photos!

Other smaller-scale works are displayed in the library, where they look more at home.

Although photography was prohibited inside "Pumpkins Screaming About Love Beyond Infinity," Florian managed to shoot this as he and Arko briefly cooled off.

Meanwhile, Thom and I found new obsessions. Provocatively dressed sisters posed in front of "I Want to Fly to the Universe," where knee-high boots and sheer blouses must be trending. You go, girls!  If nothing else, Kusama increased NYBG's Instagram traffic.

On a day more temperate than this one, Belmont (Bronx's Little Italy) would have been within easy walking distance.  A security guard stopped us from taking a shortcut through the Fordham University campus.  Borgatti's was closed by the time we arrived.  Damn!

We dined al fresco at Mario's which served the best Italian bread I've ever eaten.  They infuse the olive oil with hot peppers for dipping.

I loved the cappuccino flavored dessert we shared, too.  Our veal entrees didn't quite hit the mark.

 

More walking after dinner.  Twenty minutes to the D-train at Fordham Road on a super sultry evening.

But an initially reluctant Arko had his most authentic New York City en route.