Yoko Ono believes John Lennon’s campaign for peace is as powerful as ever. And, as the steward of Lennon’s legacy, Ono thinks showing her late husband’s art is a crucial part of that campaign.
This weekend, she brings the Beatle’s art to Boston for a 15th year. Hosted by the Hotel Indigo in Newton, this year’s show, Power to the People, benefits the Boys & Girls Club of Boston. Between promoting Lennon’s work, her own art and the ImaginePeace.com site, Ono took time to explain how the show is put together - and what she thinks of “American Idol.”
Herald: The Lennon art show has become an annual Boston fixture. Can we count on it for years to come?
Ono: I don’t know. I don’t want to say this will continue when I have to scrape the bottom of the barrel. It’s something that’s nice now. So as long as it’s nice I’ll keep on doing it.
You mention scraping the bottom of the barrel. Have we seen nearly everything John’s done?
Oh, no, not yet. There’s really a lot, but I don’t want to show everything at the same time because I think work needs a certain space to be appreciated.
How do you design the show?
It’s not that organized. It’s not a well-planned thing. It’s like an improvisation. I just go through the stuff and say, “What about this one, or that one?” It’s instinctive.
Do you see a progression or evolution in John’s art?
Progression is not the word. I think he covered all different fields of emotion and wisdom and more. To do that he sort of jumped around. So it’s not like there was a successive growth in him. It’s very strange, but he was great from the beginning, even when he was in his teens doing drawings. You look at those drawings and see a very mature work with the cynicism and all of his personality in there too. It just doesn’t seem like the work of a teenager.
What did you make of “American Idol” contestant David Archuleta’s version of “Imagine”?
I thought it was fantastic.
It’s such an iconic song but it also has a subversive message. Do you think that people connect with that message?
I think people just like the song, period. But I also don’t think it’s subversive anymore. It’s a different age now and a lot of young people really feel that they understand the song. In a way, they think it’s their song.
Are you an “American Idol” fan?
Well, not really. But I really think that that question is loaded in a way because I really think it’s a great program. But I’m just busy going around the world so I can’t really watch it.
Now that your son Sean’s career is taking off, have you become interested in making more music? Maybe more music with him?
Just two days ago he kept saying, “We should play again, we should play again.” But it comes down to scheduling. I have so much to do here and so many cities I have to go to for my own art, I don’t think I have the time to. And Sean is a very busy guy. Two days ago, we happened to be at our farm together and we did a little number. He said, “This is what we have to do, this is the direction we need to go in.” (Laughs) But we’ll see what happens. Maybe next year.
Power to the People, Friday from 5-9 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at Hotel Indigo, Newton.
Reported Post by redsamurai01
