Kusama: Infinity

Total disclosure: I'm not big on pop-art or artists so I can't be entirely objective concerning this documentary of contemporary Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. What I did enjoy about this film (which is, let's be honest, a puff piece) was the way it brought to light how difficult it is to be a woman in the New York art world, especially one who is also a foreigner. She was ignored by her male peers, had to work twice as hard to get a show and once she did, the male artists were 'inspired by' (i.e. stole) her ideas. (The film shows how Andy Warhol lifted her concept for a motif wallpaper, how Claes Oldenberg changed his medium from hard / paper maché sculptures to soft / fabric sculptures after appearing in a show where Kasuma displayed a series of soft sculptures, and how Lucas Samaras copied her idea of a mirrored room. [https://www.artspace.com/magazine/art_101/close_look/pop-art-ripoffs-the-3-yayoi-kusama-artworks-that-warhol-oldenburg-and-samaras-copied-in-the-60s-55636].) I may not have much appreciation for Ms Kusama's work, but I do have admiration for her struggle and respect for her courage.