The spirits of the pumpkins descended into the heavens

We went to a new permanent installation at the National Gallery by an artist called Yayoi Kusama. The piece is called 'The spirits of the pumpkins descended into the heavens'. It features a large-ish room completely decorated (ceiling, walls and floor) in black polka dots. Additionally, In the centre of the room is a window where you can poke your head through a square and look into a further (smaller) room which is filled with an infinity type arrangement of mirrors and the pumpkins!

I sometimes struggle to get-hold of and appreciate modern art. I reach the conclusion occasionally that it's all a bit pretentious and trying hard for the sake-of-it. Certainly having kids gives you a good dose of realism. It's easy without kids to stare at a blank canvass, or sticks on a floor or an unmade bed and be filled with awe because someone has valued it at $10 million, but when questioned to explain what it's all about by a quizzical child it suddenly feels a lot more challenging. Similarly when the kids stand next to you observing a piece of art and casually inform you that they could probably achieve something similar with their coloured pencils or paint (and a part of you agrees with them) it certainly becomes time to reflect. I think on occasion even the most hardened art critic would struggle.

Ultimately I usually handle this 'art-thing' by diluting it all down to originality. Of course I COULD have conceived a yellow room covered in dots with pumpkins replicated by mirrors in its centre, but WOULD I have conceived it, and even if I had would anyone have taken me seriously? I guess a lot of it comes down to originality and in a smaller way, notoriety. 

Anyway, whatever the merits or otherwise the room WAS fun and we spent a long time in there, especially with the mirrored centre. It's nice that Canberra has fabulous (free!) art galleries and therefore the opportunity for the children to critically assess things like Kusama's room for themselves and form their own opinions. The world would be a far sadder (and duller) place without artists like Kusama.