Yoko Ono: War is Over
The first major survey of Yoko Ono’s work in Australia is ingrained with her desire for peace and thoughtfulness. ‘Yoko Ono: War is Over’ is titled after her 1969 text work with John Lennon, a powerful message that was displayed on billboards around the world.
Ono has often involved viewers in the realisation of her art pieces – from stamping world maps with inked ‘peace’ stamps, to mending broken crockery, to writing private messages of love and care to their mothers. ‘Yoko Ono: War is Over’ encompasses five decades of her practice in diverse media including eight participatory works.
Just as Ono’s pieces call on visitors to participate, Ono is an active player in this exhibition. The major installation Telephone in Amaze (1971/2011) is a transparent, maze-like structure which visitors are invited to walk through. At its centre sits a telephone, which Ono rings periodically over the course of the exhibition, speaking to whoever answers her call.
“The exhibition reaffirms Ono’s firm belief in the power of human agency – specifically, people’s ability to dream of and work towards a better future together,” said Rachel Kent, Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) Chief Curator.
‘Yoko Ono: War is Over’ is on display until Sunday 23 February 2014 at the MCA, Sydney, Australia.
