WASHINGTON — Sunday is the final day visitors can see Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrors exhibit at the Hirshhorn Museum in D.C.
“Going to see some art on Mother’s Day with my mother,” Richard Wenrich, who is an art student, said with his mother sitting right next to him. “Look at some dots, I guess.”
Most people started making their way to the museum at around 4 a.m. Sunday. Some arrived as early as 1 a.m.
“Fortunately, these kids were having a loud party where I live — they kind of woke me up early, so I decided why not just come down here,” said Nneka Wilts.
She got to the museum at 2:20 a.m. and was third in line.
“I think I’m late,” Carol Fraga said sadly. “I was supposed to be here at 3 a.m., but I got here at 5:28 and I am late. Look at the line.”
She was still under the cover of the building overhead.
Those who got to the line later in the morning found themselves standing or sitting on the Independence Avenue sidewalk.
But for many, the wait is worth it.
“I think that it’s magical,” Fraga said. “I think that’s something that we’re looking to understand. I think (Kusama) understands life in a different perspective, and she wants to share that.”
“I’ve seen all of the Instagram posts and it just looks really cool,” Justin Schaffer told WTOP. “I’ve heard that this exhibit is pretty bonkers, so I’m pretty excited about it.”
He got to the museum just before 5 a.m.
But as more and more people arrived at the Hirshhorn Museum, the less confident people became that they would get a ticket.
“I was a little late. I got here at 4:50,” David Ballard said. He was hoping to be at the museum by 3 a.m.
“As an outdoors person, I thought I was going to be out here, but oh well. I’m an outdoorsman. I’m an avid hunter and this time I’m just hunting tickets for this show. I have my hunting gear on, warm long johns, my blanket, coffee, whatever we need,” he said.
Ballard is not giving up on his pursuit.
“My wife has two formal arts degrees and is a lifelong artist and she’s been wanting to see this show and her sister in New York said it is fantastic. I don’t know if she’s seen this one exactly but she’s read letters from this artist and it’s something not to miss.”
The Infinity Mirrors exhibit is arguably the hottest ticket in the District and has been a difficult one to get.
“I just wanted to come experience it,” Wilts stated with enthusiasm. “I just want to take some cool pictures and just experience all of the polka dots and all of the bright colors.”
“Very visually stimulating and exciting and interactive and I think it’s really unique art,” Hannah Packman said.
And the great weather has visitors trying to make the most of the day.
“We’re also going to the Nats game today, or that’s the plan. So this is the number 1 priority,” shared Schaffer. “Besides Mother’s Day. Hi, mom.”
