Music of the Mind: Tate Modern unveils UK's largest exhibition dedicated to iconic artist Yoko Ono

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - The Tate Modern is set to launch a groundbreaking exhibition honoring legendary artist and activist Yoko Ono, titled Music Of The Mind.

This expansive showcase, slated to be the UK's largest exhibition dedicated to the artist, will open its doors, from Feb. 15 to Sept. 1, inviting visitors on a journey through Ono's innovative and influential career spanning seven decades.

Born in 1933, Ono's artistic journey spans decades and continents, leaving a mark on the realms of both conceptual art and activism.

Conventional boundaries are tested, and ideas are prioritized over tangible objects in Ono's work. From her early "instruction" pieces to her monumental installations, the exhibition chronicles seven decades of her profound and expansive practice.

It traces her journey from Japan to the United States and the United Kingdom, ultimately settling in New York in 1971.

- Induce 'music of the mind in people'

At the heart of Ono's invitation lies a profound message: the power of imagination to effect change.

Through her art, she challenges viewers to dream collectively, recognizing that dreams shared become realities. This collective call to action resonates deeply with Ono's lifelong campaign for world peace.

"The only sound that exists to me is the sound of the mind," Ono notes, encapsulating the essence of her artistic philosophy. "My works are only to induce music of the mind in people ... In the mind-world, things spread out and go beyond time."

- More than traditional exhibition

Music of the Mind is more than a traditional exhibition. It is a celebration of Ono's relentless pursuit of peace and her unique approach to art. The exhibition's title itself encapsulates Ono's ethos, emphasizing the importance of stimulating the imagination and fostering a collective consciousness.

"We are very excited that this is going to be the largest survey exhibition work in the UK to date," Andrew de Brun, assistant curator at Tate Modern, told Anadolu.

"It really is the entire breadth of her career and seven decades of making artwork right through from her early conceptual works in the 1950s, some of the earliest known examples of conceptual art through to the present day where she's making incredible artworks that address violence against women refugee crisis, globe global push for peace and humanitarian causes," he explained.

"We really want visitors to participate and be active participants in this exhibition. They can contribute in lots of different ways. Every room has an element of participation, and we really hope that visitors will come with a creative approach to engaging with it," he underlined.

At the heart of the exhibition lies Ono's inventive use of ideas, often expressed in poetic and profound ways.

Visitors will be immersed in her world of "instruction pieces" — written directives that prompt readers to imagine, experience, or complete the work.

From simple verbs like "fly or touch" to more elaborate tasks for the imagination, Ono's instructions aim to stimulate the mind and unlock creative potential.

Rare glimpses into her early "instruction paintings" and the typescript draft of her seminal anthology Grapefruit will be on display, offering insight into Ono's formative years as an artist.

- Lifelong partnership with John Lennon

A highlight of the exhibition will be Ono's radical works created during her transformative years in London, where she became deeply engaged with the city's vibrant artistic community and formed a lifelong partnership with Beetles singer John Lennon.

Iconic installations such as Apple 1966 and Half-A-Room 1967 will be featured, alongside banned works like Film No. 4 (Bottoms) 1966-7, underscoring Ono's unwavering commitment to peace and activism.

Themes of peace, feminism, and humanitarianism resonate throughout Ono's oeuvre, from her collaborative efforts with Lennon to her solo endeavors advocating global harmony from the height of the Cold War through the present day.

Acorns for Peace 1969 and the renowned War Is Over! billboard campaign serve as poignant reminders of Ono's relentless pursuit of peace in turbulent times.

Visitors will have the opportunity to engage with Ono's recent projects, including Add Colour (Refugee Boat) 2016, inviting reflection on urgent issues of crisis and displacement.

The exhibition will culminate in a participatory installation, My Mommy Is Beautiful, inviting visitors to honor maternal figures by attaching photographs and sharing personal messages on a 15-meter-long wall of canvases.

As a testament to Ono's enduring legacy, her work will extend beyond the gallery space, with interventions across Tate Modern's building and landscape — a fitting tribute to an artist whose vision continues to inspire and provoke.