MTR teams up with M+ Museum to present Yayoi Kusama–themed train

MTR Corporation has joined hands with M+ Museum's latest exhibition to launch a Yayoi Kusama-themed train to offer passengers an opportunity to discover the power of art during their journeys. 

The collaboration has brought two new large yellow pumpkins with a black dotted pattern created by visionary artist Yayoi Kusama for M+ into an MTR train running from 9 November to 27 December on the Tuen Ma Line.

The pumpkin motifs displayed in the Yayoi Kusama-themed train made reference to Pumpkin (2022), currently on view in M+ as part of the special exhibition, Yayoi Kusama: 1945 to Now. The exhibition at M+ presents a full retrospective of the visionary artist’s career spanning over seven decades, featuring more than 200 works by Kusama.

Through the collaboration with M+, passengers travelling on the Tuen Ma Line have an opportunity to immerse themselves in a world of polka dots and enjoy an imaginative art ride on MTR. By scanning the QR codes in the train, members of the public can access an audio guide delivered by M+ curators that introduces the power of art to connect and heal in selected Kusama’s artworks. Local artist Ivana Wong will share her personal thoughts on how Kusama’s aesthetic influenced her philosophy of life. Furthermore, passengers can indulge in Kusama’s personal quotes reflecting on her creative practice on the thematic train.

MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out to MTR Corporation for further information.

“The Corporation strives to integrate art into passengers’ journeys by incorporating artwork elements into our network to promote art appreciation. Following the East Rail Line `Fun Fun‧Art Train’ created by local artists launched in August, we are excited to collaborate with M+ in bringing the distinctive pumpkins and polka dot motifs by the world-renowned contemporary artist Yayoi Kusama into a train on the Tuen Ma Line, the longest line of MTR network connecting various local communities, and turning it into a form of mobile art to reach out to passengers from all walks of life, enabling them to experience an imaginative journey of art.” said Linda Choy, corporate affairs and branding director of MTR Corporation.

Back in August 2022, MTR Corporation collaborated with Hong Kong Youth Arts Foundation (HKYAF) and two local artists to revive East Rail Line by designing large-scale creative artworks inside the train. The project aimed to showcase the iconic landmarks and culture through large-scale illustrations which were larger than two standard basketball courts and give passengers a delightful journey while discovering the uniqueness of the communities along the railway line.

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