Yayoi Kusama at the Hirshhorn Museum

We don't typically write about art openings on our blog, but Yayoi Kusama's Infinity Mirror Rooms at the Hirshhorn Museum is pretty unique. I heard about the Yayoi Kusama's Infinity Rooms from an interview with the artist on CBS News Sunday Morning (I've proclaimed more than once that is one of my favorite shows EVER) and when I heard they were coming to DC, I marked it on my calendar. Ticketing for timed passes was released at noon on Feb 13th and I was ready. The Smithsonian's website, however, was not ready for the overwhelming traffic. Everything crashed and when I tried calling- voice mailboxes were full. I turned to twitter to find helpful info and links to the ticketing system. After navigating some weird glitches, I was able to get two tickets for opening day- 11:30 and 11:45AM. Here's what you really need to know about going: The rooms aren't whole rooms you walk through- they are actually large walk-in box-like rooms with one door in, which means only a few people can actually get into the room at a time, so once you are in the exhibit, you have to wait in line to get into the room-boxes. Some of the lines were 1 to 2 hour wait times, which we did not plan for, so we had to skip most of the rooms. If you plan to go, I would suggest going first thing in the morning (10AM is the earliest) and then leave lots of extra time once you get in to get into the actual infinity mirror rooms. I'm definitely going back- I have passes for next Thursday for the kids, and I will be prepared this time! The Infinity Mirror Rooms are worth seeing.

My mom drove down from Philly to join me- she's so cute, isn't she- she made me do her hair that morning. 

Yayoi likes to make her art with finger-like stuffed protrusions. I wanted to get a private room with some of the pieces of art.

This is one of the pieces that you look into through a mini-window, which gives you a kaleidoscope effect. These don't have long lines, but everyone wants to get a photo- so lots of time with their phones (me included)

I seriously want a room with these in it:

Yeah, see what I mean about the protrusions. These were really big!

Once you get into the room, you are treated to a beautiful light show.

Many of her other pieces were part of the exhibit as well.

The crowd once you get into the exhibit:

The last room, which is interactive. You are given dot stickers and instructed to add them wherever you want in the room.