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Yoko Ono has been too famous as the wife of late John Lennon and often underestimated as an independent Artist, and one generation ago, some people called her " Dragon Lady" who broke up the Beatles and talked about her with a lot of prejudice, misunderstanding and harsh criticism. Or some called her a misterious Asian woman who would mislead John Lennon with Asian mystics and philosopy. Gosship surronding her about her personal life seemed endless.. Today, she has proven that these rumors were not true, and she has appeared again with " Love and peace " alone , this time without John Lennon. Through her Art and energetic activities for Peace, she has proven to us that she is truly an Artist, and much needed Peace activist and advocator whom the world needs, especially after the attack on Sept.11. in NY. Despite criticism and negativeness toward her, she kept on working so hard for Peace.

Today, new generation and the world turned their heads around and respect her with gratitude, affection, new optimism, and hope for Peace. I am rather surprised to see this change of attitidue among many people myself. People smile, cheer, respect and enjoy her Art, which once was criticized as boring, uncreative objects. Her and John Lennon's Medica campaign, " Bed in for Peace". " War is over if you want it" has come back again with stronger and more significant meaning this time, especially after Sept.11 tragedy in NY.

It seems as if she sends more posetive and powerful message for peace straght to one's heart through " Yes Yoko Ono" Exhibition. I admire and respect her endless energy and posetiveness.In this difficult world, in this difficult times, her message of love and peace shines like a sun beam.. " Yes " Yoko! We can make it, and together!

YES YOKO ONO AGO MEDIA/ PRESS CONFERENCE

February 22, 2002, Friday, 11:00 AM at AGO
Media/ Press Conference at AGO ( Art Gallery of Ontario), Toronto

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Estimated 350 - 400 Media and Press people came to AGO to see Yoko Ono at 11:00 AM. I was supposed to be here as a reporter to the local Japanese Newspaper, but due to the very tight, limited space, my partner managed to get in but I couldn't at the very last minute. The huge poster of " Yes Yoko Ono " was placed at the lobby, and at the entrance,, there is a huge billboard, " War is Over, if you want it.".Press, camera men were everywhere.. Our Toronto weekly entertainment newspaper, " Now " put her picture on the front cover. Press's vans were parked everywhere outside, and news reporters were busy reporting.

"Afternoon with Yoko Ono "
TORONTO 2002

February 23, 2002, Saturday 2:30 PM
Hart Theatre, University of Toronto

waiting in line

" Lecture and Performance, " Afternoon with Yoko Ono "

All seats were not reserved seats, so I lined up in front of the theatre at 10:30 am, and was the 3rd person in the line, By noon, there was a long line-up of people who were anxiously waiting to see Yoko. All 400 seats were sold out very fast. Around 2:20 PM, I managed to be seated at the centre, at 3rd row. Camera & recording were strictly prohibited. 、Yoko appeared on stage in a white ski jacket and her trademark sunglasses, quietly / naturally as air, broke the silence and tense atomosphere and said, " I am so happy to be back to Toronto again. You know, New York has been a big mess since Sept.11.but, Toronto looks nice and clean. I thought this city is still surviving". Then she took off her jacket and took a chair on the right hand side of the stage. She sat on the chair, leaning against the audience. Then, turned the chair down and put her legs inside it, waving to the audience. She crawled under it and moved a lot. Then, she turned the chair over and sat in the most uncomfortable position, smiling, :" I am not very comfortable this way". She wanted to say, " Who said there is the certain right way to sit on the chair? Maybe this chair wants us to sit in this position??" . In other words, " Art is something that makes your mind change constantly and as long as it makes you smile, and happy, this is the most important thing."

Some time ago, the audience was just staring her performance with a strange look on their face, but today, they are smiling and cheering with excitement, instead.Then, she took a huge black bag and covered herself with Mr. Matthew Titlebaum, the Director of AGO. It is called " Bag Piece".and it is one of her famous and typical performances.. It shows that man is equeal regardless sex, race, skin colour, clothing, once he/she is covered completely and becomes invisible. Two of them started moving around in different postures and it was so funny to look at their movement in the bag.. Slowly, they started taking off their clothes and shoes and put them outside of the bag. The audience was just staring at the bag, imagining what is going on inside of the bag. Then, Mr. Titlebaum came out of the bag, looking refreshed., " We were just having a conversation."

The audience was stunned and burst into laughter. Man is equal regardless nationality, race, and can communicate equally once he/she are disguised without closes, covered and becomes invisible. She, then took a hollow teapot. Even if the teapot looks like a teapot, it is not a teapot if you can't pour tea into it, therefore, that it is dangerous to judge people or things by appearance, She, then stood in the centre of stage, and started answring questions from the audience. :Let me introduce some of her answers.

" During the World War II, my younger brother and I were evacuated to a small local village in Japan.and we were very hungry. When I saw my younger brother getting weaker and weaker from hunger every day, I thought I must do something to gain his strength back. I thought of a game, " Imaginary Game,", and started playing with him.:. I asked him " What would you like to eat?" He said, " Icecream". So, I said, " Imagine there is a lot of icecream in a pail. Have as much as you want! " He got excited and looked so happy. We played this Imaginary Game every day and managed to survive through those difficult times from hunger. " When I was in the very difficult times, I always looked up the beautiful blue sky. Sky was always blue and beautiful no matter how tough the world was.." " Try to find or think of something exciting which makes your heart dance and practice every day, so that one day, you will notice that your life turns into a posetive, bright and wonderful one.." " Art is not the secondary thing like accessory to your life, but something necessary to your daily life, like your food, clothing and home. It is necessity to your daily life, as gas to a car,." " I love everything in this world, universe, whatever the world offers, e.g. four seasons. I want to live my life with my heart dancing with excitement every day."

installation view

She sent a message to Japaonese people who live in Canada. " I am very happy to visit Canada again after many years.. Many of you work hard, and make living here, but there is always the idea sticks to your mind that you are a Japanese. I feel that I am sharing this with you. Take care and be happy always"

Audience was given a small pice of blue puzzle. " Now, we are sharing this precious moment and experience together Please keep your piece until we meet each other again in 10 years. When we meet again, we can put our pieces together to make a whole, and get happy to be united together again.. Gradually, a long white string was going around to the audience, of which .tied to one of her legs. I couldn't help feeling deep and warm sensation of excitement. Sensation of communication, link and togetherness in my heart, just as if I was the baby with the navel cord, linked to her as the mother. Shortly after, she smiled at everyone, and disappeared from the stage, silently like an air again.

For a while I was just standing at the spot, feeling something very deep/ nice and warm in my heart. I still cannot forget that feeling. I was so inspired by her charm. I thought she was an incredible and super woman! And she left Toronto right after this performance for New York. " Imagine all the people living life in peace!" -