Strike a Pose: Selfies and #InfiniteKusama at the CMA

Blog Post
Exhibitions

August 24, 2018

Two people taking a selfie in front of the multicolor dot speckled wall that is part of the exhibition Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors — Selfies inside The Obliteration Room, 2002 to present. Yayoi Kusama (Japanese, b. 1929). Image courtesy Cleveland Museum of Art.

Take a walk through the Cleveland Museum of Art’s must-see exhibition Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors and you’ll see people of all ages taking selfies in front of the colorful, dotty, fantastical, trippy art — and having a really good time doing it. For some visitors, the ultimate take-home prize is a selfie taken within one of the mirrored Infinity Rooms, small rooms that, upon entry, offer the illusion of infinite space.

Another favorite is the formerly all-white Obliteration Room. Now awash in colored dot stickers from floor to ceiling, the room practically begs visitors to whip out phones and snap selfies.

“I guess I took selfies for a few reasons. One is that you have more control in how you look in a photo when you take it yourself, and a selfie allows you to see the composition of the shot while you take it. I also wanted a photo up close with me and the dots in the room, and a selfie allowed me to do so quickly and out of the way. Since the Obliteration Room is a fully interactive piece of artwork, I didn’t want to get in the way of other’s experiences or photos while taking my own photos.” — **Amy Carson, CMA visitor**

No doubt, many of these selfies will end up on Instagram, one of the most popular social media apps in the world. Recent statistics reported by Reuters show that Instagram users shared more than 95 million photos and videos every day, with posts garnering 4.2 billion “likes” each day. At least 1,000 selfies are posted to Instagram every 10 seconds.

A recent article in The Atlantic dubbed Kusama “an artist for the Instagram Age” and questioned whether visitors flocked to the exhibition for profound experiences or for posting selfies.

“I actually dressed specifically for the [Kusama] exhibit because I’m into fashion… I like the kind of conversation that you can have between art and fashion. “ — **Zent Keymole, CMA visitor**

But what brings someone to the art museum is not the point, said Cyra Levenson, deputy director and head of public and academic engagement. Anytime visitors come to the museum and engage with art, whether that includes taking a selfie or not, it’s a win for that visitor, the artist, and the museum, Levenson told listeners in a recent public radio interview on selfies and museum culture.

“Anytime visitors come to the museum and engage with art, whether that includes taking a selfie or not, it’s a win for that visitor, the artist, and the museum.” — Cyra Levenson, deputy director and head of public and academic engagement

“There has been a transition in museums overall from a ‘no photography please’ policy to a ‘please photography’ policy, and we’re definitely on that trajectory as well.”

“Whenever I choose to take a selfie, I want it to be more interesting than just showcasing myself. I want it to be funny or weird and with art that I find really interesting and want to share with others. I think interacting with the piece shows how you relate to it and how you relate to your surroundings.” — **Amy Strumbly, CMA employee**

According to Levenson, the Cleveland Museum of Art has been tracking the use of technology in people’s everyday lives and identifying ways to use the ARTLENS gallery, a dedicated art and digital gallery, to help people make connections with works of art. In fact, the ArtLens Exhibition has features that encourage people to see themselves in the galleries with art.

“Strike a Pose” interactive in ARTLENS Gallery. Image courtesy Scott Shaw Photography for Cleveland Museum of Art.

In the roundtable radio discussion, Levenson told listeners that “anytime you build a connection with a work of art–anytime you spend more time with that art–it’s going to mean more to you.” She went on to ask, “Who is to say, what is the right way to spend time with a work of art? I leave that to every person who comes in the front door to decide.”

“I like to feel like I’m creating a memory. And I think with technology nowadays we’re all so involved in what’s happening with media and posting things online and telling people stories that I like capturing those moments more so than with candid pictures. I like candid pictures, but not everybody can afford to have a photographer follow them around 24/7. I like to look at my favorite artists, so the Monet in here with the water lilies is one of my absolute favorite paintings. I studied it in college through my art history classes, and it’s peaceful and tranquil, so if I can even kind of represent that in my life — even the littlest — that’s why I do them.” — **Cassandra Skagg, CMA visitor**

“We encourage people to linger, we want them to look closely, to spend time with a painting and turn that into an experience that is meaningful to their lives,” Levenson said.

Selfie of a visitor in front of The Thinker, pointing at the sculpture and smiling. — “My selfie in front of The Thinker was just a way of documenting a happy moment, and also a reminder to add visiting the Rodin Museum in Philadelphia to my must-see list. As someone who appreciates art and photography, I believe the meaning of the photo lies in the photographer herself, in the same way a sculpture, painting, or drawing does to the artist. Those on the outside may perceive it one way, but the only one who knows its secrets is the one pressing the shutter button.” — **Tiffany Kalipersaud, CMA visitor**

And as the current exhibition demonstrates, particular works of art and artists seem to lend themselves toward the selfie experience. Yayoi Kusama’s work, with its mirrored space, lighting, and objects, is totally immersive. “Kusama has been creating it as [our] cultural fixation and technology has been evolving with image making,” Levenson said.

“Her work is about seeing yourself reflected. As people pick up on her themes and they can participate in [her art], it does help you feel that you are part of the experience with the artist.”

“As far back as I can remember, I was brought up around those taking pictures. My grandmother especially would document anything and everything. . . As I got older, I grew more interested in looking at the photos my parents and grandparents had taken in their younger years. It’s amazing how much history one photo can hold and how it differs depending on the person looking at it! I usually get made fun of by friends and family for always having my phone out taking pictures of anything and everything we do, often being told, ‘Just live in the moment!’ To me, I am. I’m living in MY moment. I want to be able to relive these moments years down the line when the memory may not be so fresh as well as share with others how a photo of that memory makes me feel. I’ve never been great at storytelling so having that image helps paint a picture or give that moment the justice it deserves.” — **Kari Morgan, CMA visitor**

Photography Policy at the CMA

Photography has been permitted at the Cleveland Museum of Art for at least 60 years. In a memo dated April 21, 1958, the museum issued a short and simple statement, allowing the use of cameras. Flash photography and tripods required written permission from the director’s office.

Today, the rules remain about the same. For private, noncommercial purposes, visitors are permitted to take still photographs and video using point-and-shoot cameras, phones, and handheld video equipment only, provided there is no disruption to museum operations or guest accessibility. Selfie sticks are not permitted.

Some contemporary artworks are not allowed to be photographed, as noted on the wall panel. And every special exhibition has its own photography policy.