PHOENIX, ARIZ.- Phoenix Art Museum announces the temporary closure of infinity mirror room You Who are Getting Obliterated in the Dancing Swarm of Fireflies (2005) by Yayoi Kusama for the summer. The immersive installation will close July 5 and re-open to the public on September 9 in more accessible location adjacent to re-invigorated Art of Asia galleries; Museum to host Creative Saturday re-opening celebration.
The immersive installation will undergo conservation work. The artwork, colloquially known as Fireflies, will re-open to the public on Creative Saturday on September 9, 2023 during a special Fireflies-themed celebration. As part of the conservation process, the installation will be relocated and appear adjacent to the Art of Asia wing on the Museums first floor, making it more accessible to Museum visitors and placing the dynamic contemporary installation in conversation with new installations of historical Asian objects.
To provide additional access to Fireflies before its closure on July 5, the Museum will open for special operating hours on July 4, 2023 from 10 am 5 pm. The installations grand public re-opening will take place on September 9 as part of a special Fireflies- themed Creative Saturday, featuring dynamic art programming and workshops, specialty food and beverages, and more. Detailed programming information will be announced at a later date on phxart.org, via email, and across the Museums social media channels.
Since 1959, Phoenix Art Museum has provided millions of guests with access to world-class art and experiences in an effort to ignite imaginations, create meaningful connections, and serve as a brave space for all people who wish to experience the transformative power of art. Located in Phoenixs Central Corridor, the Museum is a vibrant destination for the visual arts and the largest art museum in the southwestern United States. Each year, more than 300,000 guests engage with critically acclaimed national and international exhibitions and the Museums collection of more than 20,000 works of American and Western American, Asian, European, Latin American, modern and contemporary art, and fashion design. The Museum also presents a comprehensive film program, live performances, and educational programs designed for visitors of all ages, along with vibrant photography exhibitions made possible through the Museums landmark partnership with the Center for Creative Photography, University of Arizona.