Art Without Borders

The digital revolution of our world has brought about changes to the way that artists can express themselves, and brings about new opportunities for them to create their work. The digital revolution spans across the globe, and artists have the ability to have their creations seen by any audience at anytime. The rise of the internet, digital technology, and social media allows work to spread globally much easier than ever before. This also provides audiences with a more dynamic and diverse artistic landscape and incorporates aspects from all kinds of cultures without any constraints. Art, as we know it, will continue to evolve as the times change.

Yayoi Kusama

The artist in which I have chosen as inspiration for me is Yayoi Kusama. Kusama is a famous Japanese contemporary artist who works mostly with sculpture and installations, while also having other works with painting, performance, video, fashion, and many others. I found it to be inspirational that Kusama utilizes the creation of art to help her cope with mental and psychological problems in her life, which include awful hallucinations where the boundary between herself and the universe melts. Mental health is a very critical component to a healthy life, and art can serve as therapy for one's soul. Kusama's paintings called "Infinity Nets" helps to act as a psychological safety net from her hallucinations because looking at them prevents her fears of melting into that void. In the video to the left is Kusama's "Infinity Mirror" rooms. These are dark rooms which contain complex environments and illusions of an infinite space. With these rooms, she transforms some of her greatest terrors into truly awe-inspiring works.

To tie in with Kusama's works, I have created a collage of photographs that I have taken on my iPhone camera. This connects with Kusama because the outdoors is something that I like to use for my mental and psychological health. Sometimes, I find it necessary to take a break and to escape from some of the pressures that life can bring. Although it may not be as grand and infinite as the universes the Japanese artist created, these environments are good enough for me. It is arguably more important to explore the beauty of Earth before looking into the night sky. But the artist and I share the fact that we use an environment as a way to improve our mental health.

The largest photo on the left features me crouched down next to a small waterfall I found while exploring the Adirondack Mountains. The top-middle picture was taken while I was doing stand-up paddleboard yoga on Canandaigua Lake, which was extremely fulfilling. The bottom-middle image was taken at Eagle Lake in northern Ontario, Canada while visiting friends at a cottage. The top-right image is a collection of polaroid photos taken with friends on an exploration trip of the Adirondack Mountains, where I made some amazing memories. Lastly, the bottom-right image was taken at Chimney Bluffs at Lake Ontario during the height of the pandemic. Getting out of enclosed spaces and breathing fresh air in that environment was extremely healing for me at such a difficult time.

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