Selfie-taker Damages Artwork Allegedly Worth $700K

A visitor to the wildly popular exhibition Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors in Washington DC accidentally damaged Yayoi Kusama’s signature polka-dot pumpkins while taking a selfie. This is not the first time selfies have gone wrong. But this time, it brought damage to an artwork that is approximately worth $700k.

Selfie caused Damage to Yayoi Kusama Polka-dot Pumpkins

The unfortunate accident happened in the “All the eternal love I Have for the Pumpkins” room. A visitor accidentally misstepped from a small platform causing minor damage to one of the pumpkins. According to the Inquirer, Alison Peck, the spokesperson for the Hirshhorn Museum said they are clueless as to what exactly happened. The visitor was alone inside the mirror room with closed doors when the accident happened. “When you go in there, you close the door, so we can’t speculate on what happened,” she said.

People have been anxious in knowing how much the artwork exactly costs. They have been estimating the said broken piece to cost more or less $700K comparing it to a similar sculpture sold last 2015. However, Peck said that the broken pumpkin was part of a larger piece and not a standalone unlike the one sold before so she could not exactly say how much it costs.

Also, Peck chose not to name the visitor and clarified there were no complaints filed since she describes the incident as “very much an accident.”

The room was closed to the public after the incident. It was not opened until a replacement arrived on Tuesday last week. Today, the mirror room exhibit continues to operate but this time with increased security.

The “Mirror-Infinity Rooms” is a must-see destination for art enthusiasts all over the world. Visitors are invited to step into five of the rooms, to immerse themselves in the dazzling displays. The walls and ceiling are clad in mirrors, so when the door closes you in, “you have a seamless experience,” Ms. Peck said.

Yayoi Kusama: The Artist Behind the Masterpieces

Ms. Kusama is an 87-year-old artist born in Japan. She is best known for her works that depict strong feminist stance as well as her obsession for polka dots. She is Japan’s best known artistic export and one of the world’s most popular artists.

The “Mirror-Infinity Rooms” exhibit is presented as a celebration of the Japanese artist’s 65-year career.