1 December 2018 – 23 May 2021, National Gallery of Australia
The NGA acquired an infinity room by cult contemporary artist Yayoi Kusama. The Spirits of the Pumpkins Descended into the Heavens 2015 is an immersive installation of endless reflections of yellow pumpkins and black dots; acquired for the National Collection thanks to the generosity of Andrew and Hiroko Gwinnett for the Japanese Art Fund.
Considerable negotiation was required with the Kusama Studio staff for us to be able to meet the Australian Building Code and Fire Engineering requirements, without compromising the integrity of the work. These related mainly to sprinklers, emergency evacuation signage and lighting, and providing air conditioning and return air vents in the work. We developed several effective mechanical and design solutions, which met the aesthetic needs and were approved by the artist, also meeting the NGA's legal and risk management requirements.