I Who Have Arrived in Heaven

Back at the beginning of the month, Nate, Jen and I waited in an insanely long line to view the art exhibition "I Who Have Arrived in Heaven" by artist Yayoi Kusama at the David Zwirner Gallery in Chelsea. The first exhibit, "Love is Calling" had a significantly shorter line, just about 10 minutes. It was really neat - these sculptures changed colors in the middle of an infinity room.

There was also a beautiful poem on the wall outside this exhibit that I thought was really pretty. It's called "Residing in a Castle of Shed Tears."

Residing in a Castle of Shed Tears

When the time comes around for people to encounter the end of their life

having put on years, death seems to be quietly approaching

It was not supposed to be my style to be frightened of that, but I am

In the shadows of my loved ones footprints, distress revisits me at the dead of night refreshing my memories

Being in love with and longing for you, I have locked myself up in this “castle of shed tears”

Now may be the time for me to wander off into the place, the guidepost to the other world points to

And the sky is waiting for me, attended by numerous clouds

Overwhelmed by your tenderness that has always encouraged me

I have been searching for “love” in earnest taking my wish for happiness along

Let me call out to and ask the birds flying about in the sky

I want to convey to them my feelings

Over many long years, with art as a weapon

I have treaded the path in search of love

During the days I have lived through keeping “despair”, “emptiness” and “loneliness” all to myself along the way

there were times when the fireworks of life “splendidly” adorned the sky

Dancing in the night sky in a myriad of colors, the fireworks sprinkled dust all over my body

I will never forget that exhilarating moment

Now I think is the time to dedicate my heart to you, my dearest

Was the beauty of the end of one’s life nothing more than illusion?

Would you give me an answer to this?

Devoting all my heart to you, I have lived through to this day

Hoping to leave beautiful footprints at the end of my life

I spend each day praying that my wish will be fulfilled

This is my message of love to you

The long wait was for the exhibit "The Souls of a Million Light Years Away." The reason for the wait is that each person gets to go in the room alone for just under a minute. You could take pictures, which was cool. You walk onto the platform, the rest of the floor was water. The walls were all mirrors and colored lights hung from the ceiling all around you. The mirrors had the effect of feeling like you were in heaven, among the stars. It was magical - and the minute honestly felt like eternity! The lights changed every few seconds so there were a range of effects you could see. Worth the wait, in my opinion! This is my favorite pic of the ones I took:

Nate and I have resolved to do more things like this in 2014! There are so many opportunities living in NYC - exhibits like this one only stay for a few weeks or months, if you're lucky. I'm so glad we saw this exhibit and look forward to more adventures in 2014!