Womb sounds, repetitions of “John” and “Yoko” murmuring seductively, and distant piano music create a meditative atmosphere in the foyer. But the throbbing mass of visitors that turned up for Imagine in the early days of this opening, together with the somewhat bewildering nature of the display itself, were less than conducive to reflection. What is the “Fluxus” movement? Are the walls narrowing in around us? Why are there so many TV screens? Where is the original art we were promised? What does this dangling magnifying glass mean?
These and other questions may remain unanswered during the duration of a visit to this eight-room tribute/conceptual installation/reenactment gesture. While the crowds could be attributed to the admission price (it’s free), they may also indicate a response to the extensive advertising campaign, which is not entirely accurate. (Yoko’s message of peace may have baffled you already while waiting for the metro). “Imagining” the organizing themes of this exhibit before visiting, or checking the website for an electronic vernissage, will help clarify these somewhat vague invitations.
The promotions promise “140 works on display”, “a picture of the historical and political context in 1969 that formed the backdrop to the Bed-in” and a “rekindling [of] the philosophy behind John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s commitment for today’s world”. Artistically, the majority of the display consists of screens, newspaper projections, albums, pictures, large pieces of furniture, and sketches. Of these mediums, the sketches of Yoko are the only substantial showcase of John Lennon’s original artwork.
Although the “bed-in” room is meant to be the focal point of Imagine, with its dominant white bed and musical complements, the masses concurred (loudly) that this was not the most appealing aspect of the exhibit. The original protest at the Queen Elizabeth hotel in Montreal was, after all, only the second bed-in John and Yoko staged; the first had already taken place in Amsterdam. The Ballad of John and Yoko itself speaks of many cities on the honeymoon tour, but excludes Montreal, making the museum’s choice of theme appear exaggerated. After the bed-in room, there are screens, screens, screens, and a large white piano. With a rather haphazard thematic tie, much of the presentation feels arbitrary. Imagine yourself as part of the movement by looking at this projection. Imagine you’re John Lennon playing the piano. Imagine if we had more art to fill up this space!
If you make it to the finish, you may hear the rings of hilarity drizzling in from the end-of-the-maze, or smell the promise of growing trees and rubber stamps. Yoko’s personal contribution to the museum is well worth the visit. Imagine Peace,, the interactive conclusion of the journey, is symbolic, fresh, and inclusive. Visitors are invited to hang wishes on Peace Trees, play “blank chess” based on trust, skim books in a makeshift library, and stamp their message of peace across enormous maps of the world. This section harkens back to the “happenings” of Yoko’s early career, and is inclusive to all age groups.
Imagine: The Peace Ballad of John & Yoko continues at The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts through June 21. Free Admission. For more information, go to http://www.mmfa.qc.ca/imagine/en/index.html
April Pierce studied literature and philosophy at Boston College and Oxford University. A published poet, she founded the Tone women’s journal while at Oxford, and is an assistant editor of Pensées philosophical journal.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Do you really not know what the magnifying glass signified? That’s John&Yoko101: http://www.johnlennonandthemercystreetcafe.com/lennonyoko.html
The white piano is also surely a reference to the Imagine music video. The exhibition sounds wonderful, despite your confusion.
See also the museum’s website: http://www.mmfa.qc.ca/imagine/en/room2.html
I am not surprised that Yoko’s art pieces are the most interesting part of this exhibit. Our celebrity culture sees her as John’s wife, but she has always been an artist. I saw an exhibit of her work at a gallery in New York last year and it was diverse, thoughtful, approachable while being substantial, and displayed a considerable mastery of a variety of technical skills. Thanks to this intelligent review, I will go see this exhibit, albeit considering myself forewarned.
Actually, it sounds like most of the works are Yoko’s. For instance, the dangling magnifying glass refers to an exhibit of hers at the 1966 exhibition where she and John met, as explained on the museum’s website for that room: http://www.mmfa.qc.ca/imagine/en/room2.html
Hi Rhiannon,
I was attempting to describe the chorus of questions I heard around me as we ventured into the exhibit. The confusion was assuredly shared. You are right, the website is very helpful, as I said. The point: the museum’s organization could do with some adjustments (perhaps in theme) to better serve visitors- particularly those who are not already experts. I still encourage people to visit, but it’s helpful to be clued-up on the front end.
PS- Please tell us what you think when you visit!
“Imagine” is surprizingly and refreshingly free of hype and sentimentality/nostalgia. Often revealing, even to those of us who were in MTL then. A nice touch all around. (The line-ups may seem long, but they move very fast.)
P.S.: You don’t need documentation. If you do, you”re being far too cerebral. This is an experiential event. My only regret was that “Grapefruit” wasn’t on sale in the bookshop. A page or two photocopied from that as a “guide” would have jolted you loose into the right frame of mind!
For example, many people were intent on their chess games. Either you have incredible concentration to play white-on-white with a blank board or you fake it really well. So what? Either way, you are catapulted out of the way you usually think and feel, but you have to DO it…don’t be a watcher, unless you already know the experience. Lately, “consciousness-changing” seems to have been reduced to bombarding somebody with statistics, not altering how they perceive things.