Winter Speaker Series 2022: Karen Daubmann

This summer, The New York Botanical Garden featured spectacular installations of Yayoi Kusama’s multifaceted art, including monumental floral sculptures that transformed NYBG’s 250-acre landmark landscape. Contemporary Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama is one of the most popular artists in the world, drawing millions to experience her immersive installations – few know of her lifelong fascination with the natural world, beginning with her childhood spent in the greenhouses and fields of her family’s seed nursery. Her artistic concepts of obliteration, infinity, and eternity are inspired by her intimate engagement with the colors, patterns, and life cycles of plants and flowers. Take a look behind-the-scenes at the planning and mounting of this monumental exhibition and learn more about some of the other intriguing installations that have helped to connect garden visitors to the world of plants.

The lecture will be followed by audience Q&A and continued conversation in the galleries over hot tea, coffee, and scrumptious light fare and desserts, generously provided by Pranzi Catering.

Note: Tickets for individual lectures are available for In-Person and Virtual attendance. In person seating is limited. 

PLEASE NOTE: Proof of vaccination will be required at check in for all IN-PERSON guests. Masks must also be worn inside at all times except for actively eating and drinking. 

Karen Daubmann, Former Vice President of Exhibitions and Audience Engagement, worked at The New York Botanical Garden for 14 years, bringing more than 70 exhibitions from concept to opening. With more than 20 years of experience in art and exhibitions, she has previously worked for Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh, PA; Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison, WI; and Walt Disney World. She earned a BLA (landscape architecture) and BS in Horticulture from the University of Rhode Island and an MS in Public Horticulture Administration with a Certificate in Museum Studies from the University of Delaware.

IMAGES:

Yayoi Kusama, “Starry Pumpkin”, 2015. Installation view, The New York Botanical Garden, 2021. Fiberglass-reinforced plastic, tiles, and resin. Courtesy of Ota Fine Arts. Photo: Marlon Co, the New York Botanical Garden

The Kusama Family, ca. 1929. Courtesy of the artist. c Yayoi Kusama 2021

Series Sponsors:

Joan Abrams
Lockett Ford Ballard, Jr.
Johanna and Ronald Becker
Angela and Edwin Fischer, The Hope Foundation
Island Carpet Tile & Hardwoods
Mary Jennings
Linda McGoldrick
Santiago Neville
Edwina Sebest
Cynthia Sinclair

Supporters:

Linda Jenkins
Susan and Bob Kieronski
Kathleen Shinners

Catering and Speaker Accommodations:

Winter Speaker Series Committee

Johanna Becker, Chairwoman
Cristin Searles Bilodeau, Director of Community Engagement
Eleanor Doumato
Anne DuBose Joslin
Susan Kieronski
Santiago Neville
Kathleen Shinners