description Narcissus Garden Overview
Narcissus Garden is an installation artwork by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, first realized in 1966 at the Venice Biennale. The original version consisted of approximately 1,500 mirrored plastic spheres placed on the outdoor lawn of the Biennale grounds, where Kusama, then relatively unknown, sold individual spheres to visitors for two dollars each alongside a sign reading "Your Narcissism for Sale." The work was created without official Biennale invitation and was removed by organizers within days. Kusama has since re-installed versions of the work at various museums and exhibitions.
help Narcissus Garden FAQ
Where and when was Yayoi Kusama's Narcissus Garden first exhibited?
"Narcissus Garden" was first realized in 1966 at the 33rd Venice Biennale art exhibition. Kusama famously installed the work on the outdoor lawn of the Biennale grounds without official permission.
What materials make up the original Narcissus Garden installation?
The original 1966 installation consisted of approximately 1,500 mirrored plastic spheres placed directly on the grass. These lightweight, reflective spheres created a visual sea of mirrors that distorted and reflected the surrounding environment and viewers.
What happened at the 1966 Venice Biennale regarding Narcissus Garden?
During the 1966 Venice Biennale, Yayoi Kusama actively sold the mirrored spheres to passersby for exactly two dollars each. She stood among the spheres wearing a gold kimono and a sign that read "Your Narcissism for Sale," turning the installation into a bold performance piece.
Has Narcissus Garden been exhibited anywhere else since 1966?
Yes, "Narcissus Garden" has been restaged multiple times in various museums, galleries, and outdoor landscapes around the world. Kusama has adapted the installation over the decades, sometimes using different numbers of spheres or floating them in water rather than placing them on grass.
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