Yayoi Kusama: Fireflies on the Water
Over the past several years the Toledo Museum of Art has cultivated an exhibition program that strives to embody a celebration of singular masterworks, a demonstrated commitment to global contemporary art, the promotion of diverse perspectives, and an emphasis placed on multi-sensory artist projects and installations. All of these elements will be brought together in Toledo Museum of Art’s special presentation of Yayoi Kusama’s site-specific installation, Fireflies on the Water, made possible through a generous loan from the Whitney Museum of American Art.
Yayoi Kusama’s artistic practice spans seven decades, and her paintings, sculpture, and installations have left an indelible mark on both the art world and 20th and 21st century popular culture at large. The unbound creativity and complexity of Kusama’s own psyche has exerted a strong influence on the artist and her practice throughout her life.
Fireflies on the Water speaks to Kusama’s ongoing investigation into the relationship between ourselves, the space that we occupy, and the ungraspable concept of infinity. Visitors will be allowed to take part in this site-specific installation that utilizes lights and mirrors to transport viewers to a space that seems endlessly expansive. Toledo Museum of Art’s presentation of Fireflies on the Water will allow our audiences the opportunity to experience Kusama’s unique and singular vision first-hand and afford them the chance to partake in a work that stands as an icon of contemporary visual art, created by one of the most significant contemporary artists of our time.
Previous Ticket Holders
If you had tickets for Fireflies on the Water between March 14 and June 28 and have not already rescheduled your visit or requested a refund, please contact the Museum at customerservice@toledomuseum.org or 419-255-8000 ext. 7448 to reschedule your dates or arrange a refund.
How to Purchase Tickets
Yayoi Kusama: Fireflies on the Water tickets can be purchased online at tickets.toledomuseum.org or by phone at (419) 255-8000 ext. 7448 beginning Tuesday, July 14 at 10 a.m. Tickets for the installation can be purchased up to a month in advance. Please check the Museum’s website and social media accounts for updates on ticket availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to wear a face covering in the installation?
Yes. A face covering is required to enter Fireflies on the Water.
How can I purchase tickets?
Yayoi Kusama: Fireflies on the Water tickets can be purchased online at tickets.toledomuseum.org or by phone at (419) 255-8000 ext. 7448 beginning Tuesday, July 14 at 10 a.m.
Should tickets not sell out in advance, they will be available for purchase in person. Please check the Museum’s website and social media accounts for updates on ticket availability.
How much are tickets?
Tickets for Yayoi Kusama: Fireflies on the Water are $5 for nonmembers while Museum members will receive a fixed number of free tickets based on their membership level. Once members have redeemed their allotted number of free tickets, they can purchase additional tickets for $5 each.
What is a timed ticket?
Admission to Yayoi Kusama: Fireflies on the Water requires a timed ticket, which assigns the visitor a specific date and time to view the work. This is due to the popularity of the artist and the nature of the exhibition. Ticket holders should arrive at the Canaday Gallery Bridge within 5 minutes of the time listed on their ticket. Latecomers may not be able to be accommodated.
How do I change the time of my ticket?
The Toledo Museum of Art is unable to accommodate time and date change requests.
Are tickets transferable?
Tickets for Yayoi Kusama: Fireflies on the Water are nontransferable and nonrefundable. Ticket holders must present their government-issue ID card at the time of entry. Museum members must also present their valid membership card.
Can I get a refund for my ticket if I’m unable to attend?
Yayoi Kusama: Fireflies on the Water tickets are nontransferable, nonrefundable, and cannot be resold. Attempts to use unauthorized duplications of tickets or to sell of a ticket will result in denied entry to the installation.
Can I purchase a ticket on site?
In the chance there are tickets available, onsite sales for Yayoi Kusama: Fireflies on the Water will take place. The Museum highlight recommends purchasing tickets in advance online at tickets.toledomuseum.org or by phone at (419) 255-8000 ext. 7448. Please check the Museum’s website and social media accounts for updates on ticket availability.
Do children require a timed ticket?
All visitors to Yayoi Kusama: Fireflies on the Water require a timed ticket to enter. Because of the face covering requirement, children two years of age or younger are unable to go in Fireflies on the Water. The Museum requests that one adult be present for every two children that visit Fireflies on the Water.
Do I need to reserve a museum pass in addition to purchasing a Fireflies on the Water tickets?
Reserving a museum pass in advance is no longer required to enter TMA. All visitors are required to check-in at the Information Desk when they arrive.
What changes have been made to the installation in light of the COVID-19 pandemic?
To ensure the health and safety of both staff and visitors, TMA has made several changes to the Fireflies on the Water experience. The density of the Fireflies on the Water waiting area has been reduced by removing the majority of the chairs and placing floor markers reminding visitors to socially distance when in the waiting area. The remaining chairs in the waiting area will be sanitized between uses and hand sanitizer stations are placed both outside the doors to the gallery and the ramp leading to and from the installation.
When is the exhibition open?
Yayoi Kusama: Fireflies on the Water is open:
- Wednesday: 11:15 a.m.-4:45 p.m.
- Thursday: 11:15 a.m.-4:45 p.m.
- Friday: 11:15 a.m.-7:45 p.m.
- Saturday: 11:15 a.m.-7:45 p.m.
- Sunday: 11:15 a.m.-4:45 p.m.
- Closed Mondays and Tuesdays
Is the exhibition family friendly?
Yayoi Kusama: Fireflies on the Water is open visitors age 3 and older. There are some things you should know before visiting:
- All visitors will need a ticket to enter Fireflies on the Water.
- All visitors are required to wear a face covering in the installation.
- One adult must be present for every two children due to the nature of installation.
- Visitors should arrive at the exhibition holding area located on the Canaday Gallery Bridge within 5 minutes of the time listed on their ticket. Visitor must also follow the social distancing while waiting to enter the installation.
- There is a small waiting area inside the gallery with limited seating.
- Strollers and carriers are not permitted in the infinity room and must be left outside in the waiting area.
- Reentry into the exhibition is prohibited.
Where should I park?
Ticket holders are encouraged to park in Lot 1. This is the closest parking lot to the main entrance of the Museum. Entry to Lot 1 is located off Art Museum Drive. Parking is $8 for nonmembers and free for Museum members. Guests can pay for parking inside the Museum.
When should I arrive?
The Museum advises visitors to arrive early and ticket holders should plan to be in the installation holding area located on the Canaday Gallery bridge within 5 minutes of the time on their ticket. Please plan for delays due traffic and allow time for finding a parking spot and entering the Museum from the parking lot.
Is my ticket valid all day? Am I able to leave and return?
Each visitor Yayoi Kusama: Fireflies on the Water has a timed ticket, which assigns a specific date and time for them to enter the installation. Reentry to the installation is not permitted.
What if I’m late or miss my ticketed entry time?
Tickers are nonrefundable and nontransferable. Entry cannot be guaranteed for visitors who arrive more than 5 minutes after the time on their ticket. The Museum will make an effort to admit you at the next available time slot that day but entry is not guaranteed due to limited availability.
Is the exhibition accessible?
There is a ramp leading to the entryway to Fireflies on the Water but given the dimensions of the doorway, most wheelchairs and mobility aids are unable to fit through the door. Guests are able to view the installation from this vantage point.
What is the installation about?
Yayoi Kusama’s artistic practice spans seven decades, and her paintings, sculpture, and installations have left an indelible mark on both the art world and 20th and 21st century popular culture at large. The unbound creativity and complexity of Kusama’s own psyche has exerted a strong influence on the artist and her practice throughout her life. Fireflies on the Water speaks to Kusama’s ongoing investigation into the relationship between ourselves, the space that we occupy, and the ungraspable concept of infinity.
How long will lines be to enter Fireflies on the Water?
To help ensure the health and safety of visitors and staff, adjustments have been made to the waiting period to avoid large groups and long lines. Ticket holders should anticipate waiting 15 minutes or less to enter the installation.
How much time can I spend in the installation?
Visitors will experience 60 seconds along in the room.
How many people are allowed in the room at the same time?
The viewing platform in Fireflies on the Water is small. Because of this, adults are asked to enter the room one at a time. Strollers, backpacks, and larges purses are not permitted in the room.
Is there reentry into the exhibition?
Reentry to Fireflies on the Water is not allowed.
Can I enter the room more than once?
No, reentry to Fireflies on the Water is prohibited.
Is Fireflies on the Water wheelchair accessible?
A portion of Fireflies on the Water is wheelchair accessible. There is a ramp leading to the entryway to the infinity room but given the dimensions of the doorway, most wheelchairs and mobility aids are unable to fit through the door. Guests are able to view the installation from this vantage point. The Museum can provide a wheelchair that does fit within the dimensions of the doorway for those who wish to use it.
Is there an audio guide?
There is not an audio guide for the installation.
As a member, do I need a timed ticket? How do I reserve one?
Everyone, both Museum members and nonmembers, is required to have a ticket to enter Yayoi Kusama: Fireflies on the Water. Members are able to reserve a set number of free tickets based on their level of membership.
- Senior ($40): 1 tickets
- Senior Couple ($75): 2 tickets
- Individual ($75): 1 tickets
- Family ($100): 2 tickets
- Reciprocal ($300): 4 tickets
- Supporting ($600): 4 tickets
- President’s Council and above ($1,500+): 6 ticket
Members can also purchase six additional tickets once they have reserved their free tickets by logging back into their account at tickets.toledomuseum.org. Tickets are only available online at tickets.toledomuseum.org or by phone at (419) 255-8000 ext. 7448.
I am a Museum member and now that Fireflies on the Water is reopening, does my number of free tickets reset?
If you used your set number of free tickets before Fireflies on the Water closed, you will need to purchase tickets to visit the installation again. If you claimed your free tickets but were unable to visit the installation because of the closure, please contact the Museum at 419-255-8000 ext. 7448 or CustomerService@toledomuseum.org to reschedule.
Do I need an active membership to book tickets?
A current Museum membership is required to reserve free tickets to Yayoi Kusama: Fireflies on the Water and must remain active through the date on your tickets.
How do I join or renew my membership?
Joining or renewing your Museum membership can be accomplished via one of the following methods:
Online: Click here to purchase or renew your TMA membership.
Onsite: Visit any Information Desk and a Museum staff member will process your payment.
By phone: Call (419) 255-8000 ext. 7448 during Museum hours to join or renew over the phone. Please have your credit card information available. Museum hours are:
- Monday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Tuesday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Wednesday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Thursday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Friday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Saturday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Sunday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
How do I access my membership account online?
To log in to your Museum membership account, visit tickets.toledomuseum.org and follow one of the following steps:
FIRST TIME VISITORS: TMA Members – Please enter the primary email address associated with your membership and click the “Request a Password” link. A popup window will appear, asking you to validate your membership. Enter your first name, last name, and zip code. You will receive an email containing a link to set your password. Please Note: You must have an email attached with your account to begin. To add or verify your email address please call (419) 255-8000 ext. 7448 during Museum hours.
RETURNING CUSTOMERS: If you have purchased, reserved, or renewed online on this site after March 20, 2018, enter your email address and password to log in to your account. Please Note: Returning TMA Members may enter their email address or Member ID for the login ID.
FORGOTTEN PASSWORD: If you have forgotten your password, enter your email address and click "Forgot Password" to begin the password reset process.
I’ve booked my member tickets, but am I still able to book additional tickets?
Museum members are able to purchase an additional six Fireflies on the Water tickets after reserving their allotted free tickets by logging back in to their account at tickets.toledomuseum.org.
Do I receive guaranteed tickets with my member status?
Due to limited gallery capacity and popular demand, the exhibition will sell out quickly. Tickets are not guaranteed, although we hope to accommodate as many members as possible.
How many free member tickets can I reserve?
Free member tickets will be limited by the level of membership.
- Senior ($40): 1 ticket
- Senior Couple ($75): 2 tickets
- Individual ($75): 1 tickets
- Family ($100): 2 tickets
- Reciprocal ($300): 4 tickets
- Supporting ($600): 4 tickets
- President’s Council and above ($1,500+): 6 ticket
o If I am not a TMA member but a member of a museum reciprocal membership program, do I qualify for free access to the installation?
Reciprocal privileges are not applicable for admission to Yayoi Kusama: Fireflies on the Water.
Is photography permitted?
Nonflash, personal photography is permitted in the room. Video recording, tripods, and selfie sticks are prohibited. Fireflies on the Water is fragile so please be careful when taking photos in the room. We encourage you to share your photos on social media and tag them with #KusamaTMA.
Can I use my cell phone?
Cell phone photography is permitted in the space. Make sure the flash is turned off and the phone is set to vibrate while you are in the waiting area. Fireflies on the Water is fragile so please be careful when taking photos in the room. We encourage you to share your photos on social media and tag them with #KusamaTMA.
Can I take my wedding or engagement photos in the installation?
Wedding, engagement, and portrait photography is not permitted in the installation.
Since the installation is immersive, can I touch it?
Visitors are asked not to touch the artwork as Fireflies on the Water is fragile.
Can I bring a stroller in to the room?
Given the dimensions of the viewing platform in Fireflies on the Water, strollers are not permitted in the room.
Should I check my bag?
Visitors will be asked to leave any unchecked bags (backpacks, purses, diaper bags, etc.) outside Fireflies on the Water in the waiting area inside Canaday Gallery. TMA encourages visitors to check all bags with the Protective Services Associate positioned at one of the entries to the Museum. Nothing is permitted be carried on one’s back in the infinity room.
Are service animals allowed?
Service animals are welcomed at the Museum. However, they will not be permitted in the room given the fragility of the work of art and the size of the viewing platform.
Are public tours available?
No public tours of Fireflies on the Water will take place given the immersive nature of the installation.
Are there discounts on group tours?
The Museum is unable to accommodate group tour visits given the popular nature of the installation.
Can school groups visit the installation?
The Museum is unable to accommodate school group visits given the popular nature of the installation.
Disclaimer
The Toledo Museum of Art reserves the right to refuse entry or to evict any person deemed intoxicated or affected by a prohibitive substance in relation to this exhibition. This is to ensure the safety of Museum guests and Fireflies on the Water. A ticket refund will not be issued.
Yayoi Kusama: Fireflies on the Water is presented by Taylor Cadillac and ProMedica with additional support from Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP and the Ohio Arts Council.