Beauty in the Bronx: A Day at the New York Botanical Garden
Nature has the power to improve your mood and increase your general wellbeing. Art has the power to expand your creativity and reduce anxiety. KUSAMA: Cosmic Nature at the New York Botanical Garden is an exquisite combination of the two.
With rain looming in the forecast day after day I decided on a cloudy Friday to take my chances and head to the Bronx to see the Yayoi Kusama exhibition. From Brooklyn I took the nearly two hour journey by subway and bus to the largest botanical garden in the United States. The stone-enclosed entrance gave way to a sprawling lush green scene. I was thoroughly enchanted.
I purchased a ticket in advance so the check-in process was fairly quick. I would have access with my pass to all of the outdoor attractions but none inside which worked for me and I happily moved onward. At first I just drank in the scenery, trying to let my eyes rest on every leaf and petal. Then I began to walk.
The Kusama exhibition is throughout the actual Botanical Garden so you get a taste of her signature spotted artwork along with the permanent elements of the 250 acre space. The trees were made even more striking by the bright red and white polka dot fabric swathed around them Ascension of Polka Dots on the Trees (2002/2021).
Nestled off to the side was a quaint greenhouse turned public art repository. Patrons have the chance to make their own contribution to the art by placing a single flower decal anywhere they would like. The area is set up like a little house that began with all of its contents bathed in stark white and is now covered in an explosion of bright pink blooms. Remember when I said my pass only granted me access to the outdoor spaces? Well I hadn’t realized I wasn’t realized that this experience was beyond my ticket until I was first in line. Thankfully the lady behind me heard what was going on and gave me her extra ticket! With gratitude I placed my pretty flower on top of a stack of other stickers because in the moment I felt like “more is more.”
As I moved through the gardens, stopping to admire the plants, take photos and inhale the sweet scent in the air I couldn’t help but feel great. The New York Botanical Garden is a wealth of inspiration and an infinite source of relaxation. I would recommend this to anyone who lives in or visits New York. Perfect for all ages. It’s worth the trip and certainly worth the time! The Infinity Mirrored Room—Illusion Inside the Heart (2020) will be open for interior access start August 2nd so even if you’ve seen the installation before, you’ll have a great reason to come back.
See more of my photos and a quick video on my Instagram, I’ll be answering your comments/questions below!
x Miss Suber