Why'd They Put That In A Museum?
Art. Objects. Museums. Ideas. Questions. What happens when you put things on display and invite people in to look? Have you ever seen art on display and wondered, “Why’d they put that in a museum?” Museum curator Sarah Lees and author Beth Bacon start each conversation with one item, in one specific museum. We explore the object, its history, and the cultural ideas surrounding it. In the end, that object takes on new meaning as listeners discover the fascinating reasons it ended up in a museum.
Why'd They Put That In A Museum?
Yayoi Kusama, Infinity Mirror Rooms, Part 2
This episode of “Why They Put That in the Museum,” is the second part of a 2-part series about the international sensation Yayoi Kusama. (Please see "Yayoi Kusama, Infinity Mirror Rooms, Part 1," season 2 episode 5 to listen to the first part.) Hosts Sarah Lees and Beth Bacon discuss Yayoi Kusama’s path from being a largely ignored activist artist in her early career to becoming a globally recognized figure by the 1990s. How did she make this change? Listen and find out. With a focus on the work, “Infinity Mirror Rooms,” located at the Broad Museum, they discuss the use of contemporary art to challenge societal norms as well as commercialization. and the creation of exclusive viewing experiences that drive public interest. Today, Yayoi Kusama is a prolific and influential Japanese artist. Her whimsical and playful interactive experiences make Kusama an internet darling. Her bright colors and patterns are easily accessible. Listen to this episode to find the depth beyond the bright lights, desings, and colors of Yayoi Kusama.
© 2025 Why'd They Put That In A Museum podcast hosts Beth Bacon and Sarah Lees.
