Yoko Ono's latest conceptual art exhibition is being unveiled tomorrow at the Armory Center for the Arts in Pasadena, California.
Titled - "Wish Tree" - the display consists of twenty-one living crape myrtle trees installed amongst the café tables and chairs in the Courtyard at the center.
Gallery enthusiasts are urged to attend and participate by writing wishes on pieces of paper and hanging them on the branches of the trees.
A group of childcare providers from "CULTURAL CARE AU PAIR" - along with local children - will attend the opening festivities which are slated for August 2nd at 2 p.m. at One Colorado Courtyard.
Yoko Ono was a celebrated artist in her own homeland, Japan, long before she met her former husband John Lennon.
In fact, Ono and Lennon first met at one of her controversial art exhibits.
One of the conceptual artworks consisted of a ladder that led up to a plaque posted on the ceiling above.
As John was strolling through the art work, he happened across the piece - and without hesitation - climbed the ladder to get a gander at the message hanging above beyond reach.
Lennon's response captivated Yoko - at which point - a bond was struck.
A passionate love affair followed.
Die-hard Beatle fans accused Yoko Ono of interfering with John's relationship with the other band members - and ultimately - for being responsible for the break-up of the fab four.
But, Mr. Lennon quickly put that rumor to bed. The Beatles were allegedly kaput before the Japanese artist sauntered into the picture.
The Lennons resided at the Dakota apartment complex in downtown Manhattan.
John was content to play "house daddy" with the kids, while Yoko handled the family holdings (which were considerable and comprised partly of prize cows!)
During one break-up - it was quickly evident to family, friends, and the media alike - that John was hopelessly in love with Yoko.
While they were apart briefly - he wore his heartache on his sleeve - showing up drunk and unruly at local pubs (once with a "kotex" plastered on his forehead) and often sniping at anyone and everyone within his reach.
More often than not, while in an inebriated state, he picked fights with other patrons, too.
Once the "love birds" reunited, the happy duo continued on in a happy nurturing relationship, until his untimely death.
Ono was a member of Fluxus - a Dada-inspired group of avant-garde artists - that developed in the early 1960s.
George Maciunas, the founder - was not only a friend of Ono's - but admired her work and promoted it non-stop.
But, John Cage was one of the most important influences on Ono's performance art, allegedly.
Ichiyanagi Toshi (who was a pupil of John Cage’s legendary class of Experimental Composition at the New School) was the fellow artist who introduced her to the unconventional neo-Dadaism of Mr. Cage and his protégés in New York City.
Imaginative Ono launched loft shows at her studio at 112 Chambers Street.
The Chambers Street series hosted some of Ono’s earliest conceptual artwork including the infamous - "Painting to Be Stepped On" - which was a scrap of canvas on the floor that became a completed artwork upon the accrual of footprints.
The idea of a work of art on the floor - instead of mounted on a wall - caused quite a stir within the realms of traditional art circles
Ono's art (non-art, some say) was a synthesis between John Cage's Zen-influenced musical ideas - which incorporated silence and natural sounds - to the earthier work of long-time associate artist Maciunas.
Moreso, than the others in her circle, Ono was anxious to shock.
And, cross the line, whenever possible.
"Every artist is a conceptual artist. I'm a con artist," she joked.
Ono's Japanese contemporary - Yayoi Kusama - also influenced the style and substance of her musings.
Some contend that Kusama's displays of nudity may have inspired the front cover of the Two Virgins record where Yoko and John pose naked.
Kusama was also an organizer of pacifist events similar to Ono and Lennon's "bed-in" interviews.
"Wish Trees" was inspired by a childhood memory.
In an interview recently, Ms. Ono noted that when she was a young girl in Japan, it was a tradition to write wishes on paper and tie them with ribbons to the branches of trees.
"From a distance, they looked like blossoms," she poignantly recalled.
What a beautiful thought!
