Kusama sculpture unveiled at Kistefos

It virtually grows out of the water, a giant red and white-dotted work created by the world-famous Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. The sculpture is named Shine of Life and is the largest sculpture by Kusama in the Nordic countries.

The process of realizing this major site-specific work began in 2012 and is finally materialized on May 26th, 2019. The sculpture was unveiled by the Japanese ambassador Tauchi and Christen Sveaas himself.
- Kusama is possibly the greatest artist of all in the art world, and we are delighted to present such an enormous sculpture by her for our season opening, says director Egil Eide.
 

With wishes for a better world

Kusama´s own words about the sculpture:
- My eternal soul is now rising up to the universe. Together with people from all over the world, I want to sing the hymn of humanity for superlative peace and hope for the future. My prayers for the world to be filled with love and hope is wished upon Shine of Life. It is my great hope that this thought is conveyed to everyone, through sharing Shine of Life with you.

 

Yayoi Kusama – a short bio

Yayoi Kusama (b. 1929) is recognized as one of the world’s foremost contemporary artists. Starting to paint images from her hallucinations in her childhood, Kusama has since, during the course of her 70-year-long career, developed a unique visual language, instantly recognizable across the globe. This includes her signature polka dots.

Since her debut on New York’s avant-garde art scene in the late 50s, Kusama’s artistic universe has constantly developed and encompasses conceptual art, minimalism, surrealism and pop art.

Kusama’s oeuvre spans most mediums, such as painting, installation, sculpture, video and performance.

 

The Twist

The new spectacular museum building The Twist is to open on September 18th, 2019, and is designed by internationally acclaimed architects Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG).

The Twist is a museum, sculpture and bridge – all in one. The building twists into an “impossible form” and spans 60 meters across the Randselva river.  The museum will host varied exhibitions by world-renowned artists and will function as a natural extension of the exploration of the Sculpture Park.