Yoko Ono is a contemporary multimedia artist, singer, and activist. As shown in her works she combines both elements of art and activism. Her artwork was a break through in the art community. Her work not only represented her but showed the desperate need for change that affected others. She was able to communicate the need of change through her interactive pieces. These interactive pieces brought forth recognition to those in need as they were able to take pieces of the art with them or fix the art themselves.
Yoko Ono was born Feburary 18, 1933. Ono grew up in Tokyo but later moved to New York City to live closer to her family in 1952. That same year before her move, Yoko Ono became the first women admitted to philosophy program at Gakushūin University in Tokyo.
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Yoko Ono is known for her controversial perspective on art and how she chooses to portray it. When creating art she wanted to not reality but to work with the perception of it. This brought forth a multiude of modern but meaning art pieces. To help others grasp the perception of her art a variety of her work is interactive. Yoko encourgaes interaction as it allows others to not only realte to her work but have an apprecation for it and what it stands for. 'In terms of history, Yoko is one of the few artists who has transformed art into an idea, she destroys the concept of an object and overthrows art, which has always been sacred. Artists have always tried to keep the aesthetics of an object, but Yoko Ono, on the contrary, erases this concept, and all that remains is the idea. For her, the idea is already an art object,' explains the art curator. This art curator is highlighting what makes her work unique and why many people call her the 'most famous unknown artist in the world'
Ex-It was created by the placement of a 100 wooden coffins that ranged in sizes. Within each coffin, a tree sprouted out of the top. When at the exhbit nature sounds were played to maintain and serene and calming atmosphere. This piece reflects the aftermath of the war it is a metaphor for resiliance of life and the vitality of nature.
Helmets is a compliation of multiple war helmets hung from the gallery ceiling. Each of these helmets are filled with varying sizes of puzzle pieces that are colored like the sky. Like her other pieces, this one is also interactive. In this exhibit it was encouraged for visitors to take one of these puzzle pieces from the hats. The helmets represent the soliders and the state of the world during World War II, which was full of terror, isolation, and fear.The puzzle pieces inside of the helmets represent the buried and forgotten of the World War. The lack of unity among the pieces shows the lost feeling of hope and the broken feeling that follows the family and soliders who were on that battle field.
Mend Piece is another one of her simple but meaningful interactive art pieces. Shattered pieces of plates and bowsl lay on the table. They are surrounded by means that are able to piece these things back together. Visitors are encourgaed to use household items like twine, glue, scissors, and tape to try and fit those broken pieces back together. Ono proposes the importance of communal healing, it invited you to embrace the flawed and imperfect because they to had to glue themselves back together.
This piece symbolizes death and resurrection in a soothing mixture.
This piece represents the military conflicts in the 20th century.
This piece allows viewers to mend together broken plates and objects.
Yoko Ono's involvement is shown through her art but also through word of mouth. Yoko Ono is a peace and human rights actvist since the 1960s. Through the years she has faced discrimination from an abundance of people due to her rise to fame. Although, after 82 years she continues to stand by her beliefs of feminism, social justice, and peace.
One piece titled, "Yoko Ono: One Woman Show, 1960-1970" was just one of money pieces that showed her involvment in the feminist movement.
During her relationship with John Lenon, they both particpated in a peace movement protest. The couple gave speeches and promoted buildboards that supported their anti- war goals. The couple collaborated on art, musical projects, and they became famous for their series of shows which were dedicated to promoting world peace.
| Title | Date Created | Symbolism |
|---|---|---|
| Cut Piece | 1964 | When pieces are cut away from her body it symbolizes the people of japan after the bomb fell. This again stresses her continual want for world peace |
| Bed-In | 1969 | This Bed-In was a two week long peaceful protest aganist wars and to promote peace |
| Imagine Peace Tower | 2007 | Aims to give light towards strong wishes of world peace on all sides of the world |