Louis Vuitton and Yayoi Kusama: A Symphony of Dots, a Cacophony of Capitalism

My recent trip to Paris & a secret love for Netflix’s favorite expat, introduced me to a rather unfortunate French word: "ringarde," meaning "tacky" or "gauche." And unfortunately, it perfectly encapsulates Louis Vuitton's latest collaboration with the legendary Yayoi Kusama.

Kusama, a titan of the art world, emerged from the trauma of World War II, her psyche grappling with vibrant hallucinations of polka dots and swirling colors. She channeled these profound experiences into her art, finding solace and expression in her unique and mesmerizing visual language.

This second collaboration with Kusama is a maximalist spectacle, a sensory overload designed to saturate every corner of the digital and physical worlds. Pop-up shops, influencer-driven unveilings, and celebrity endorsements flood social media, while Kusama's iconic imagery adorns every conceivable LV product – from handbags and wallets to perfume bottles. Interactive games, augmented reality filters, and even lifelike robotic Kusamas painting store windows complete the immersive experience.

While undeniably effective from a PR standpoint, this collaboration feels less like a celebration of Kusama's art and more like a cynical exercise in capitalistic exploitation. The focus is on spectacle and virality, on generating fleeting excitement and maximizing profits. Kusama, a controversial figure whose career has been plagued by accusations of racism and problematic behavior, hardly seems like the ideal partner for a brand that has historically cultivated an image of refined exclusivity.