Yoko Ono Art Exhibit Heads to Chicago for Exclusive U.S. Run
A comprehensive exhibition of Yoko Ono's art, 'Music of the Mind,' will open at Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) in October. The institution will display more than 200 pieces, covering a span of more than seven decades' worth of work. These include photography, musical compositions, participatory instruction pieces, installations, and a curated music room, among several other highlights. London's Tate Museum previously showed 'Music of the Mind' last year and reported record turnouts.
Some of the notable works featured include Cut Piece (1964), which invited participants to cut off her clothing, piece by piece, as a statement on feminism; her influential book Grapefruit (1964); and the films Fly (1970 – '71) and Film No. 4 (Bottoms) (1966 – '67). Her musical collaborations with John Cage, Ornette Coleman, and John Lennon will also be available to hear. One of her recent Wish Tree installations, on which people write a wish and pin it to a tree — a creation she's been planting consistently around the world since 1996 — will also be on display.
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Participatory works include Painting to Hammer a Nail (1961/1966), Bag Piece (1964), and White Chess Set (1966). There's also a boat on which visitors can write their hopes and beliefs, Add Color (Refugee Boat) (1960/2016); and My Mommy Is Beautiful (2004) a sounding board for people to praise their mothers in words and photo.
Ono, 92, moved to New York to study at Sarah Lawrence College in 1953. Three years later, she moved to Manhattan and became an instrumental part of the city's avant-garde scene and Fluxus art movement. In 1966, she met John Lennon, marrying him three years later. The couple released a series of experimental albums in the late Sixties, and she issued her first solo album, Yoko Ono/Plastic Ono Band, in 1970. She continued marking art, citing music as a force that kept her going after Lennon's death, and her work has previously been the subject of exhibitions at the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Japan Society Gallery, the Museum of Modern Art, and other institutions.
In 2009, she received the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the 53rd Venice Biennale, and last year, she was recognized with the Edward MacDowell Medal, another lifetime achievement recognition.
'We are thrilled to present 'Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind' here at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago — a celebration of Ono's expansive practice which continues to challenge the boundaries of artist and audience,' Pritzker Director Madeleine Grynsztejn said in a statement. 'This exhibition underscores the avant-garde and interdisciplinary roots that made the MCA what it is today — our first performance in 1967 featured Fluxus artists. We're overjoyed to bring Ono's work to the MCA, a museum that so truly aligns with her practice and overlaps with her history.'
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Frank Gehry, Theaster Gates and Wendy Schmidt Earn 'Legend' Status at Star-Studded MOCA Gala
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MOCA gala honors Frank Gehry, others, raises $3.1 million: L.A. arts and culture this weekend
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The Mom's Choice Awards Names The Tales of Charlie Wags: New York City and The Tales of Charlie Wags: London, Among the Best in Family-Friendly Products - earning Gold Seals in Family Friendly Media
PHILADELPHIA, June 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Kendam Press is honored to announce that the New York and Paris titles in the Charlie Wags series has earned the prestigious Mom's Choice Award® Gold Seal. Having been rigorously evaluated by a panel of MCA evaluators, The Charlie Wags Series is deemed to be among the best products for families. The MCA evaluation process uses a propriety methodology in which entries are scored on a number of elements including production quality, design, educational value, entertainment value, originality, appeal, and cost. "The Tales of Charlie Wags was created to spark imagination and be a fun shared experience with family. It's an incredible honor to be recognized by an organization that celebrates quality and values for families." - Ali Barclay To be considered for an award, each entrant submits three identical samples for testing. Entries are matched to evaluators in the MCA database. Evaluators are bound by a strict code of ethics not only to ensure objectivity, but also to ensure that the evaluation is free from manufacturer influence. The five evaluations are submitted to the MCA Executive Committee for final review and approval. "Our aim is to introduce families and educators to best-in-class products and services," explains Dawn Matheson, CEO of the Mom's Choice Awards. "We have a passion to help families grow emotionally, physically and spiritually. Parents and educators know that products and services bearing our seal of excellence are high-quality and also a great value. The MCA evaluation program is designed to incorporate the expertise of scientists, physicians and other specialists; but we also engage parents, children, educators, and caregivers because they are experts in knowing what is best for their families." Information about The Charlie Wags series and where to purchase it can be found at About the Mom's Choice Awards: The Mom's Choice Awards® (MCA) evaluates products and services created for children, families and educators. The program is globally recognized for establishing the benchmark of excellence in family-friendly media, products and services. The organization is based in the United States and has reviewed thousands of entries from more than 60 countries. Around the world, parents, educators, retailers and members of the media look for the MCA mother-and-child Honoring Excellence seal of approval when selecting quality products and services for children and families. Learn more about the Mom's Choice Awards by visiting their website: More Adventures AheadFans can look forward to Charlie's upcoming adventures in The Tales of Charlie Wags: Paris (June 2025), and a festive European Christmas Adventure (Autumn 2025). Each book will continue to inspire curiosity and connection through delightful stories and captivating illustrations. AvailabilityThe Tales of Charlie Wags series is available on Amazon and at where additional merchandise is available. Follow Charlie's AdventuresInstagram: @TheTalesOfCharlieWagsFacebook: The Tales of Charlie Wags Contact:Ali BarclayKendam Press396336@ 302.367.7457 View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Kendam Press
