I've recently been on a bit of a Yayoi Kusama kick. There's something about her "infinity nets" that make me feel good. Perhaps I'm just a little nutty inside and she effects that part of me...but whatever - I know I like her stuff. It's whimsical and feels like it's full of hope - all this coming from a woman who had herself committed to a mental institution since the 70's.
http://www.kusamadocumentary.com/index-eng.php
here is her film
Self-Obliteration from 1967:
pt 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7h0hExzfS5Q
pt 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOd99fqGjto
pt 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGHr-KS5gz4
In the 60's she lived in NYC and set up a number of civil disobedience events involving naked people in public places.