Yayoi Kusama’s Infinite Accumulation - A Monumental Addition to London’s Public Art
Photo by Grisha Besko: https://www.pexels.com/photo/yayoi-kusama-sculpture-in-paris-france-16529982/
Yayoi Kusama, one of the world’s most celebrated contemporary artists, has unveiled her largest permanent public sculpture to date, Infinite Accumulation, at London’s Liverpool Street Station. This striking piece is not only Kusama’s first permanent public artwork in the United Kingdom but also marks the grand finale of the Crossrail Art Programme, coinciding with the opening of the Elizabeth Line.
To see images of this stunning installation see here: https://art.tfl.gov.uk/projects/infiniteaccumulation/
A Monumental Work
Stretching over 328 feet in length and rising more than 33 feet high, Infinite Accumulation features a series of stainless steel archways adorned with highly reflective silver spheres, arranged in a web-like pattern. These meticulously polished spheres capture the movement of commuters, the architecture of the station, and the ever-changing skyline, offering a dynamic visual experience that evolves with the light and flow of people.
Kusama, renowned for her iconic use of polka dots, expands this motif into linked forms. “London is a massive metropolis with people of all cultures moving constantly,” says Kusama, 95, in a statement. “The spheres symbolize unique personalities, while the supporting curvilinear lines allow us to imagine an underpinning social structure.”
The Artistic Vision and Symbolism
Infinite Accumulation exemplifies Kusama’s exploration of infinity, the cosmos, and human interconnectedness. When Kusama started working on Infinite Accumulation, she created the arches “intuitively” by hand-twisting wires on a smaller model, according to the statement. Starting with hand-twisting wires on a smaller model, Kusama intuitively shaped the arches now transforming the space outside the new Elizabeth Line entrance. The work is a testament to her ability to turn simple forms into profound statements about humanity and the universe.
Although this is Kusama’s first permanent sculpture in the city, it is her second large-scale public artwork to arrive in London this summer. Her massive bronze Pumpkin was recently installed in Kensington Gardens, where it will remain through till 3rd November.
Yayoi Kusama is renowned for her use of repeated polka dots, which first appeared in her work in the 1960s and have become her signature element. Her polka dots cover many of her paintings, sculptures, and installations. For Kusama, dots symbolize both the unity and chaos of the cosmos, and Earth's fragile place in it. In Infinite Accumulation, she extends this motif into linked forms that enhance the public spaces outside the new Elizabeth Line entrance at Liverpool Street station. These dynamic arches were created intuitively by Kusama, who hand-twisted the wires on the original models. This sculpture, part of the Crossrail Art Programme, bridges the gap between the tangible and the imaginary, inviting commuters and visitors to contemplate the infinite in the everyday.
Placement and Impact
Eleanor Pinfield, Head of Art on the Underground at Transport for London, notes, “It’s a site-specific artwork that responds to the space around us, [and] the architecture, through a series of four stainless steel arches. To Kusama, these are a form of the polka dot, which she uses a lot in her work.” Pinfield adds, “Infinite Accumulation is a monumental addition to public art in London… millions will enjoy the opportunity to encounter Kusama’s dynamic and rhythmic sculpture, reflecting on the evolving city around them.” The installation not only complements the modern architecture of Liverpool Street Station but also enhances the daily journeys of thousands of commuters.
The Crossrail Art Programme
It is the final artwork to be installed and commissioned by the Crossrail Art Programme for the Elizabeth Line, the largest collaborative public art commissioning process in a generation. Kusama's work sits alongside works including Douglas Gordon's undergroundoverheard at Tottenham Court Road station and Chantal Joffe's A Sunday Afternoon in Whitechapel at Whitechapel station. It joins Manifold (Major Third) 5:4 by Conrad Shawcross, which was unveiled at the western entrance of the station at Moorgate in 2023. Infinite Accumulation is located outside the eastern entrance of the Elizabeth Line at Liverpool Street Station.
The Crossrail Art Programme was paid for by funders and/or grant contributors. The City of London Corporation provided matched funding for half of the total cost of the Art Programme in central London Elizabeth Line stations, plus a contribution towards set-up costs.
Funders and Artworks
Spencer Finch’s 'A Cloud Index' at Paddington station was co-funded by Heathrow Airport and the City of London Corporation.
Darren Almond’s 'Horizon Line', 'Shadow Line' and 'Time Line' at Bond Street station were co-funded by Selfridges and the City of London Corporation.
Richard Wright’s 'no title' at Tottenham Court Road station was lead-funded by Almacantar and the City of London Corporation and co-funded by Derwent London.
Douglas Gordon’s 'undergroundoverheard' at Tottenham Court Road station was lead-funded by Almacantar and the City of London Corporation and co-funded by Derwent London.
Simon Periton’s 'Avalanche' and 'Spectre' at Farringdon station were co-funded by Goldman Sachs and the City of London Corporation.
Conrad Shawcross’ 'Manifold (Major Third) 5:4' at Liverpool Street station (west) was co-funded by Land Securities and the City of London Corporation.
Yayoi Kusama’s 'Infinite Accumulation' at Liverpool Street station (east) was co-funded by British Land and the City of London Corporation.
Chantal Joffe’s 'A Sunday Afternoon in Whitechapel' at Whitechapel station was funded by the City of London Corporation with grants from Art Fund and Randeree Charitable Trust.
Michal Rovner’s 'Transitions' at Canary Wharf station was co-funded by the Canary Wharf Group and the City of London Corporation.
Gallery Partners
At Paddington station: Spencer Finch with the support of Lisson Gallery.
At Bond Street station: Darren Almond with the support of White Cube.
At Tottenham Court Road station: Richard Wright and Douglas Gordon with the support of Gagosian.
At Farringdon station: Simon Periton with the support of Sadie Coles HQ.
At Liverpool Street station: Conrad Shawcross and Yayoi Kusama with the support of Victoria Miro.
At Whitechapel station: Chantal Joffe with the support of Whitechapel Gallery.
At Canary Wharf station: Michal Rovner with the support of Pace Gallery.
New Art Installations on the Tube
People will be able to enjoy more artwork while travelling in London as six new artworks are set to launch on the Tube network this year as part of the Art on the Underground programme. This includes a series of artworks which are in place in the rotunda at Heathrow Terminal 4 Underground station by British artist and photographer Joy Gregory, a new sound work by Joe Namy with the Mayor of London's Culture and Community Spaces at Risk programme, which could be heard at Waterloo Underground station in July, and a permanent mosaic work at historic St James’s Park station by artist duo Hannah Quinlan and Rosie Hastings, which will launch this autumn.
Conclusion
Kusama’s Infinite Accumulation is more than just a sculpture; it’s a transformative addition to London’s urban landscape. It invites reflection and interaction, standing as a testament to art’s enduring power to shape public spaces. As commuters and visitors pass through Liverpool Street Station, they become part of a larger narrative, reflecting the complexity, diversity, and vibrancy of life in London.
Additional Installations
A second public installation by Yayoi Kusama for London is presented by Serpentine and the Royal Parks in Kensington Gardens. Kusama’s Pumpkin, 2024 takes the form of a large-scale bronze sculpture and is on view this summer. The work on view in Kensington Gardens is Kusama’s tallest bronze pumpkin sculpture to date, standing at 6 meters tall and 5.5 meters in diameter. Installed prominently by the Round Pond, Pumpkin (2024) can be seen from a wide variety of viewpoints and perspectives, creating an intriguing dialogue with the surrounding environment of the Park.
