One on One Interview With Yoko Ono
Yoko Ono is a Japanese artist, musician, mother, daughter, human being, ocean child, voice of the peace movement, widow of John Lennon, New Yorker, and needs no introduction.
Orato: It's often been said and written that you, and artists in general, push the boundaries ‐ what are the boundaries in your mind?
Yoko Ono: What I see at that moment is usually pushing the boundaries unintentionally.
Orato: What is art's purpose?
Yoko Ono: To help us survive.
Orato: What is your life’s purpose?
Yoko Ono: To live.
Orato: Why is what’s innocent so shocking to some? For example, your breast/vulva work: My Mummy Was Beautiful...
Yoko Ono: I can't speak for others.
Orato: Ursula K. Le Guin said, "The creative adult is a child who survived." What did you survive?
Yoko Ono: Death.
Orato: Which is the worst: to be criticized, idolized or ignored and why?
Yoko Ono: That's like asking which is better: Hit by a lightning, touched by a breeze, or seeing the ocean moving without you. They are all alright.
Orato: What is your favorite color?
Yoko Ono: All colors.
Orato: What is your favorite word?
Yoko Ono: All words.
Orato: What was your most shining moment?
Yoko Ono: I will see it when it comes.
Orato: What was your greatest disappointment?
Yoko Ono: Being a perfectionist, life was a series of disappointments. Being human, life was a series of joy.
Orato: Where is the voice of the peace movement today?
Yoko Ono: Everywhere. It's not loud enough for you to hear because we of this century believe in doing things quietly. It's too dangerous to do it in the way we did then. That was fist power. Now it's dream power.
Orato: What makes you cry?
Yoko Ono: When I'm moved.
Orato: What makes you laugh?
Yoko Ono: I laugh at the incongruity of life.
Orato: Last fall a candle was lit at the Imagine Peace Tower in Iceland dedicated to peace and John Lennon ‐ how do you keep the candle lit for John?
Yoko Ono: I didn't know that there was a candle lit. If it was, I am sure it was just in your head. John is still very much alive in my mind. I feel we are still working together. Him from up there, and me here on earth.
Orato: What is your greatest hope for the world?
Yoko Ono: For all of us to live in eternal joy.
Lots of love,
-y.o. '08
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Comments
OK, so I read this 3 times and the only word that comes to mind is......random.....
I thought this was in keeping with Yoko's work to date. She has a stark style and says little to communicate much. I could probably delve deeper, but as I imagine Yoko would say, "Why?"
I had no idea what her style was like until I looked her up a bit more. Very keeping with her style, true. I am left with even more questions than before! Sometimes expanding can be good. Sometimes stark is good too.
I'm still left with... random.....
That's great you got this interview Heather, nicely done. I found this interview very interesting - i wonder if there's more or there's less, i think when you communicate with someone, being cryptic doesn't help though...that's not a criticism, i just think language is more effective in a different way.
By cryptic do you mean the questions posed, or the responses? I think the fact Yoko sat down at her computer and pondered questions I posed is just groovy. Sure, I'd like to know more, but mystery and randomness is good too. With a poet's mind, language is effective in many ways. If you have burning questions that remain, maybe you could post them here...you never know...she may answer!
Hey Heather, yes i thought the questions were good, i thought the answers were...interesting, maybe you can tell us more about how she answered.
When i read it, i imagined if I asked someone, what's your favorite color? And they say all colors, i'd feel like they weren't taking me seriously or in outer space somewhere...but it's hard to tell without the body language and hearing someone's voice...
p.s. what do you think a poet's mind is? I've done my share of reading poetry and writing it believe it or not, and i'm not sure myself what it means - i know i fantasized a lot, which was never a bad thing...
Hey Lu - she answered them via e-mail, so I didn't get to hear her voice. I suppose loving all colors is a good thing though. Personally I like red and purple. If pressed I could tell you why. ;)
I think a poet's mind can read a single word and see an ocean. The word 'YES' is what started her and John's love affair.
But I do hear what you're saying. I know Yoko didn't even begin to scratch the surface. Check out her Myspace - she does a lot more writing there ;)
Well, it's been a day since Yoko's mind was on my questions. The grooviness of it is still with me. Since yesterday I have explored her MySpace a bit and discovered she's not always a woman of such few words. In fact, she has many words!
Incidentally, on her Facebook page was the most breathtaking photograph of John Lennon composing Imagine on his white grand piano at home in Tittenhurst, Ascot. 21 June, 1971. I'm glad this story led me to that photograph. How beautiful.
That's funny ;-) I'm sure as a woman who's been around, seen the world, and done many many things in her personal life and career, she likes to have fun now and then...to shake up the establishment so to speak maybe... - now that I think about it, the mystery is kind of refreshing too.
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