This summer artist Yayoi Kusama brings her signature colorful dotted designs to Roppongi Hills. Entitled "Love Tokyo Summer," Kusama collaborated with Roppongi Hills to create an art project in the form of beer and whiskey gardens, a café, children's activities and creative workshops.
For the uninitiated, Yayoi Kusama is famous for her conceptual, contemporary work decorated with repeating patterns. Her fascination with repetition, reflection and infinite space is prevalent in the vast majority of her art. She creates in a number of mediums, including painting, sculpture, 'happenings' (public installations), writing and fashion. Kusama's pieces are some of the most exciting and prolific works to hit the modern art scene. Recently, she collaborated with the luxury goods fashion house Louis Vuitton for a hugely popular collection of Technicolor leather goods and accessories.
The open-air Mizutama Garden (Polka Dot Garden) features a joyful glass ceiling covered in Kusama's distinctive butterflies and spots, which suits the happy summertime vibe here in Tokyo. At the garden taste a variety of special menu items including the colorful polka dot kakigōri (shaved ice dessert). For 2,300 yen sip a draft beer in a collectible souvenir Kusama-designed glass. The garden is open weekdays from 17:00 to 22:00 and weekends from 12:00 to 22:00.
Outside on the upper deck of Roppongi Hills, near the famed Maman spider is the Polka Dot Terrace serving up Suntory whiskey beverages. The tables, patio and even the trees are adorned with red polka dots. The recommended highball cocktails run for 500 yen.
Starting August 7th and running until the 20th, limited edition Kusama tea sets will be available for purchase at the Roppongi Hills A/D Gallery. The tea sets are created in the name of the Roppongi Hills 10th anniversary celebration.
"Love Tokyo Summer" makes for a splendid place to meet with friends and bask in the multicolored joys of Kusama's work. While you are visiting Roppongi Hills, be sure to explore the Mori Art Museum "All You Need is LOVE: From Chagall to Kusama and Hatsune Miku" exhibit.
