Elaina Johann, administrative manager
The last internship I had prior to accepting the position of administrative manager at the Woodson Art Museum was at the Mattress Factory in Pittsburgh. Known for its presentation of installation art and artist residency program, the Mattress Factory is a place where artists transform entire gallery spaces with original installations over weeks or months. As part of their collection, the Mattress Factory has two works by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, Repetitive Vision and Infinity Dots Mirrored Room. Although I was saddened to hear that Yayoi died in mid-August at the age of 97, I was glad that I had such an influential experience at this internship during which I had the opportunity to be immersed in her art.
A selfie I took on my first visit to the Mattress Factory in 2018
Because of this connection, my daughter, Orla, had to have Yayoi Kusama Covered Everything in Dots and Wasn’t Sorry on her bookshelf, which has become a regular read. The children’s book tells Yayoi’s story as an artist making daring moves while working in New York City from the late 1950s to the early 1970s. She not only made artworks with dots on canvas, but also continued the fixation in sculptures, fashion design, performance art, and organized happenings, as well as in infinity rooms like the ones installed at the Mattress Factory.
Much like Yayoi, Orla too loves pumpkins. ‘Tis the season that pumpkins have been popping up as decorations, and, of course, a two-and-a-half-year-old is always sure to call them out when she sees one. So, I said to my husband, “Why don’t I make her a pumpkin costume for Halloween?” Orla heard this comment from her room, took her “dot” book off the shelf, and flipped to the last page where Yayoi discusses her love for pumpkins. It had to be! We decided she should be one of Yayoi’s pumpkins, like the one in All the Eternal Love I have for the Pumpkins.
The costume is coming along well. I picked out yellow and black fabric, and a few cuts have been made. With Halloween a month away, I have plenty of time to complete it in time for lots of tick-or-treating fun. Next time you see me walking through the Museum, be sure to ask for a picture of the completed costume with a cutie in it! I’d love to see any art-inspired costumes that you might have too!
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