Yayoi Kusama Infinity Rooms | Visit The Broad Tribute

Remembering Yayoi Kusama at The Broad

Yayoi Kusama passed away this week at the age of 97. The Japanese artist, famous for her signature polka dot patterns and immersive installations, leaves behind a body of work that continues to draw massive crowds. Fans of her iconic Infinity Mirror Rooms are currently flocking to The Broad in downtown Los Angeles to pay their respects and experience the art she created.

The museum houses two of these installations. "Longing for Eternity" sits on the third floor and remains accessible with a standard general admission ticket. The second room, "Infinity Mirrored Room—The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away," requires a separate, specific reservation. Museum officials report that demand has surged following the news of her death, with time slots currently booked through September. The museum continues to accommodate as many walk-ups as building capacity allows for those hoping to view her work.

The Lasting Impact of an Artistic Legacy

Joanne Heyler, founding President and Director of The Broad, notes that these rooms have remained among the most popular attractions since the museum opened in 2015. She pointed to the 2017 exhibition "Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors" as a defining moment in the history of the institution. It remains the only time the museum ticketing system collapsed due to the intensity of public demand.

Kusama’s work occupies a strange space in contemporary culture. While these rooms became internet icons and magnets for smartphone photography over the last decade, their design is analog. They rely on mirrors, light, and geometry rather than digital screens or complex mechanical parts. This creates an environment that, when viewed without a camera in hand, offers a rare sense of stillness. Visitors often report a feeling of suspension or quietude while inside the mirrored walls, a sensation that stands in contrast to the constant pace of modern life.

Future Implications for the Arts Scene

As the arts community mourns, the focus shifts toward how these institutions will preserve her legacy. The Broad intends to keep the rooms operating as intended, allowing the public to interact with the spaces just as Kusama designed them. This commitment ensures that the dreamscapes she built remain available to visitors who seek a moment of isolation and reflection.

Looking beyond the current tributes, the broader cultural scene in Southern California faces a period of transition. From the retirement of conductors like Gustavo Dudamel to the planned reopening of the Japanese American National Museum in 2027, the landscape of local art and performance is moving into a new chapter. The endurance of Kusama’s work serves as a reminder of how specific artists can ground a city’s cultural identity even after they are gone. Visitors should monitor museum websites closely for ticket updates as demand for these installations is expected to remain high through the coming months.