Written on February 22nd, 2010 by Beatlebabeno shouts
I have to tell you,” Yoko Ono said to her audience at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on Tuesday night, a few days before her 77th birthday, “you have a long life ahead of you, and it’s going to be beautiful.”
Some people may think, as a Beatle’s superfan, I’m crazy to post a blog that is an ode to Yoko Ono. According to the Wikipedia article on the reasons the Beatles broke up, she is listed as number 4 citing her sitting in on studio recordings and putting her two pennies in as giving rise to discontent within the band. Other fans might hold a grudge about her affair with Lennon while he was married to first wife, Cynthia. Or even after the Beatles, when Lennon went on his lost weekend which lasted years and Ono performed some dubious acts like arranging for a concubine of sorts in May Pang.
But all this really doesn’t define Yoko Ono as the woman, the wife, the mother, the artist or the activist.
As Ono-san celebrates her 77 years on planet Earth, I thought it fitting to spare some time and some words in her honour.
Yoko Ono was born into a family of wealth and prestige. She was the daughter of a banker and the descendant of the Emperor of Japan. From an early age, she followed where her father worked, back and forth to America and Japan. After a bombing in 1945, her family were forced to beg for food and her father was put in a prisoner of war camp.
After the war, the Ono family moved to New York and she followed, enrolling in college and immersing herself in the bohemian artist scene. She married twice to musicians and had a daughter named Kyoko.
In the early 60s, Ono was performing and displaying her avant-garde art. This included having her kneeling on stage and the audience one by one approaching her to cut a piece of her clothing off. In the late-60s, she met John Lennon when he attended one of her exhibitions in London. The story is infamous. Their relationship was partly platonic but eventually led to an affair and an announcement to the world of their love by posing naked together on the cover of one of the collaborative albums, Unfinished Music No.1: Two Virgins. She sang on the Beatle’s white album and eventually formed the Plastic Ono Band.
But her mark on music was more in defining the new wave sound which would hit mainstream in the 80s. There are a lot of US Dance #1s to her name. She once said “I love dancing. I think it’s better to dance than to march through life. That’s what I do. Your question, then, will probably be: which club do you go to? Well, there’s such a thing as playing an air guitar. I just air dance. I’m always dancing in my mind. My body is dancing. My heart is dancing. Join me. It’s a good way to go through life. Got rhythm, got the beat, and you got life.”
I ordered a Plastic Ono Band album when I was in high school, thinking that I would be hearing Lennon mainly but I was pretty shocked when one of the tracks was just Ono screaming incessantly. To this day, I won’t forget it. I loved it. It was like nothing I have ever heard or ever will hear again. It just said passion and pain to me. When you’re an angst-ridden teenager, passion and pain is what it’s all about.
After Lennon and Ono were married in 1969, they set about on a huge campaign for peace, taking interviews in bed, billboards all over New York announcing war is over! Bloody marvellous.
After three miscarriages, she gave birth to a son named Sean on Lennon’s 35th birthday. This is important as I read once that it was believed he would inherit John’s soul if they shared this birth date.
Five years later, Lennon and Ono would be returning from the recording studio when a deluded fan shot Lennon dead outside the Dakota Building in New York City. Ono witnessed this at close range. From then, Ono has tirelessly guarded Lennon’s memory, set up numerous charities, released private recordings in order to create new material and carried on their message of peace and love.
She released her 19th album in late 2009 called Between My Head and the Sky and it’s gotten some rave reviews. She has revived the Plastic Ono Band with her son, Sean, and this past week performed in New York alongside Eric Clapton, Paul Simon and Bette Midler.
It seems now she has wholly realised her spot as an influential artist, visionary, philanthropist and musician.
Otanjyoubi omedetou gozaimasu Ono-san! Happy Birthday! We love you!
Written on February 22nd, 2010 by Beatlebabeno shouts
How about even in the same millennium?
Well then I have got just the thing for you.
It’s amazing what you pick up in back street Coventry bars but on this occasion, I picked up a pamphlet advertising the West Midlands’ Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA). What is anachronism? Well luckily its website gives a good definition.
What is an “Anachronism”?
a·nach·ro·nism: 1) The representation of someone as existing or something as happening in other than chronological, proper, or historical order.
2) One that is out of its proper or chronological order, especially a person or practice that belongs to an earlier time (like brewing, spinning, jousting, etc).
SCA events are held somewhere in the world almost every weekend. And locally, they meet at the Rising Sun Public House in Coventry which is quite fitting as it’s on the Medieval Spon Street.
So if you fancy escaping the drudgery of the 21st century and partaking in some herbalism, leatherworking, bardic arts or a good ole battle, then I would totally look these guys up!
And here’s some proof that even I have been known to hang out with some knights in shining armour…
Beatlebabe with the knights that performed at the Artemis Gathering in Oxford.
Written on February 18th, 2010 by Beatlebabeno shouts
Anyone with some musical talent may be keen to develop it or simply enjoy seeing others engage with the artistic medium.
For those who like seeking out local music events, the Chippington Norton Music Festival could be the perfect way to spend a day or two soaking in some more classical forms of music.
This year, the event kicks off on March 5th and will run until March 20th.
In addition to offering a number of professional concerts over the two weeks, there are also regular classes that anyone is allowed to join in.
These range from vocal and voice lessons to instruction in musical instruments, such as the piano.
The festival is one of the longest running with over 100 years of celebrating song and prose.
Jacqui Dankworth
Some of the musicians playing in this year’s shows include Jacqui Dankworth and Charlie Wood in one of the debut performances of their joint project celebrating the legendary 1961 duo collaboration between Ray Charles and Betty Carter.
As well as Diabolus in Musica, who perform historical music in period costumes. One of the featured instruments is the hurdy gurdy – not restricted to medieval music but often used by more contemporary bands like Metallica, Led Zeppelin and German metallers, In Extremo.
President, Anthony Williams said of the event, “As a passionate teacher and a musician who has a special interest in nurturing young talent I have watched the festival flourish and grow over the past few years, providing performing opportunities and constructive feedback to musicians as well as giving enormous pleasure to audience and performer alike. In my experience it is one of the most welcoming and friendly music festivals around and organised by a committee who share the same vision of enthusing and encouraging young (and not so young!) performers in the most supportive environment.”
Tickets for the concerts and workshops cost between £2 and £15 depending on the event.
Written on December 8th, 2009 by Beatlebabeno shouts
The London Art Fair is taking place in January and may give people the
chance to buy a new addition to their living room wall.
The UK’s capital is bursting at the seams with art galleries and museums
and people staying in London hotels may struggle to get round even half of
them during their time in the city.
However, the London Art Fair may mean they can experience more than one of these establishments, as it brings together over 100 leading British
galleries.
Taking place from January 13th until the 17th 2010 at the Business Design
Centre, the event is the UK’s largest modern and contemporary art fair and
is its 22nd year.
While serious bidders can find works worth over £1 million, there will
also be paintings on display from up-and-coming artists selling from £20.
Written on November 26th, 2009 by Beatlebabeno shouts
Libraries around the Northamptonshire county are opening their doors to local artists thanks to the Creative Industries Programme Director, Malcolm Robinson.
“My job is to support creative industries so thought it important to work with local artists who could promote themselves and at the same time introduce a new service for our customers so they could appreciate artwork more and understand how and why it’s created.” said Robinson
This new scheme’s objective is to make art part of the mainstream daily experience – take it out of the studio and formal exhibitions and bring to the public. Artists have the liberty to work on their chosen theme and it grows week by week. Normally, slots are for a month at a set day and time.
The scheme is in operation at several libraries in Northamptonshire including Brackley, Daventry, Rushden, Kettering, Wellingborough, and Northampton Central.
Here is what is currently booked:
DECEMBER
Kettering – Charles Bezzina (11-1pm Tuesdays)
Rushden – Dawn Tebbutt (10-1pm Fridays)
JANUARY
Daventry – Jan Tamsen Flack (10-12pm Fridays)
FEBRUARY
Daventry – Nina Cashmore / Anna Angel (10-12pm Fridays)
MARCH
Daventry – Dave Feighery (10-12pm Fridays)
According to Robinson, “So far feedback from artists, customers and staff has been positive. The artists have enjoyed meeting people and explaining what they are trying to achieve and sharing their enthusiasm for art and our customers have appreciated being ‘exposed’ to new ideas.”
Any artist or group of artists is welcome to approach Robinson about participating in this scheme and can reach via email on marobinson@northamptonshire.gov.uk on telephone 01604 462040.
Written on November 22nd, 2009 by Beatlebabeno shouts
Artist, Aasen Stephenson painstakingly cutting
Sitting on the tired couch of Deathhouse studio’s new location on St. Michael’s Road in Northampton, artist Aasen Stephenson talks to me about his approach to pop art, what influences him and how people can snag his one-of-a-kind pieces.
Born and bred in Northampton, Stephenson doesn’t use the typical brush and paint mediums to create his iconic, duo-tone canvasses. Rather, he opts for a time consuming cutting method. Stephenson explains, “I use masking tape to create the stencil. Then, I spray the desired colour just using normal spray cans. I peel all the tape off and the picture is revealed. Depending on the number of colours used, the process is repeated.”
Once he removes the masking tape, the stencil is lost so what is produced is not just a limited-edition but quite literally an unique creation!
Stephenson's paper artwork on display in the Deathhouse studios
It’s a similar technique for his intricate paper artwork. These beautiful, framed pieces commonly feature Stephenson’s favourite poetry and songs.
While visiting the studios, he was just working on a larger piece with Nine Inch Nail’s “Hurt” lyrics.
The hand-made, in-reverse paper cut outs start out at post card sized and some of the larger of these pieces will be on display in a local shop starting December 1st.
Looking around the room, you can obviously see the influence of pop culture on Stephenson’s work. I took a shine to a massive portrait of John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Stephenson informed me that the Roadmender club in Northampton had commissioned this and other similar sized pieces to display at the venue.
Stephenson with some of the larger pieces to be on display at the Roadmender
But Stephenson’s repertoire doesn’t just end at homages to the rich or famous. He can immortalise normal “Joes” like you and me. “People can come direct to have portraits made. Just bring in a picture where the face is clear, tell me what colours you want, and that’s it.”
Astonishingly, this type of commission is extremely affordable. His painted canvasses can start out as little as £45. When I challenged him about increasing his prices, he quickly retorted, “I like that people can afford it.”
Fair enough.
Stephenson’s Deathhouse Studios, typically open every day from 11am, is located on St. Michael’s Road in Northampton, right at the corner to the entrance of the car parking garage.
Written on November 20th, 2009 by Beatlebabeno shouts
Forty years after the uproarious heyday of the alternative press, writer Alan Moore is launching the 21st century’s first underground magazine from his home town of Northampton.
Drawing upon an overlooked and energetic pool of local talent as well as numerous friends and co-conspirators from comic books, the arts or entertainment, Dodgem Logic sets out to provide a splash of subterranean exotica in a bleached-out cultural and social landscape.
Published every other month by counter-culture veterans KNOCKABOUT, Dodgem Logic is a forty page full-colour spectacle that, in addition, has an eight-page local section in each issue, thus inviting other areas to publish regional editions by providing their own inserts.
A free CD of home-grown Northampton music over fifty years, will be contained in the historic premiere issue.
Written on October 17th, 2009 by Beatlebabeno shouts
A new Northampton arts centre is being opened in the Fishmarket Gallery in 2010.
The project called Access Arts, run by volunteers from the Northampton Arts Collective, will provide vital support and work experience for Artists and the local community.
As an art information centre, it will offer the public information on local events, venues, education and exhibitions.
For artists, it will provide links to local businesses, community projects and host monthly networking events.
Access Arts’ first established project is called “Introducing…” which will invite one new artist/craftsman to exhibit in the Fishmarket Gallery. This will enable aspiring artists with exposure for an entire month, help increase their knowledge in the industry and form a personal development plan.
People interested in becoming involved in the Access Arts project are encouraged to contribute their time in building and directing the project. It is a unique opportunity to gain training, experience and network with others involved in arts, music and crafts.
For more information, have an idea for collaboration or want to get involved with volunteering, then please contact Sarah Quinn (sarah@northamptonarts.org) or call in at the Fishmarket Gallery on Fridays or Saturdays.
Written on October 3rd, 2009 by Beatlebabeno shouts
One of the highlights of my week in Marrakech was an exhibition at the Musee de Marrakech of Chayan Khoi’s collection of photography and collages.
Chayan Khoi is an artist from France that documents his global travels and then manipulates his photos into these fascinating images using various photographic elements.
The exhibition displayed both his large scale digital work along with hundreds of smaller works, collages and scrapbooks from his travels.
This is an example of the larger photographic works on display. He combines various elements from separate photos to create an almost fantasy environment.
Tibet seemed to be a common theme in the works displayed at the Musee de Marrakech.Smaller paintings in many styles. This was a pop art painting of Buddha.
A collage using butterfly wings. Other collages like this using natural materials like feathers, wood, stones etc were bound and on display at the exhibition.
Written on August 25th, 2009 by Beatlebabeno shouts
I guess it’s always the way with a scam. You look back on the events and you think “it was so obvious why did I fall for that?”
Well that was me last night and today. After reading this, you can Google “Israeli Art Scam” and you can find out how hundreds of people in Australia, Canada and the US have fallen for supporting students and snagging a piece of original art. Here’s one website I found about the subject – http://www.ozcomments.com/archives/70.
A young, Israeli girl showed up on my doorstep lugging huge canvasses saying she was part of a global art initiative and she wondered if she could show us her paintings. She had about 25 oil paintings ranging from abstracts, African art and more traditional paintings.
My husband and I asked her if they were originals and she said “Yes.” LIAR!
She said that none of the paintings were hers because she was “not allowed” to promote her own paintings. LIAR!
Probably never picked up a paintbrush in her life.
In the end, we fell for it. She showed this painting of a Paris scene with this bright pink and red tree in the centre. It was great. I still love it. It’s just not worth what I paid for it.
In fact, judging from my research today it’s worth about $5-10 USD and is a mass produced copy probably originating from China.
She took my details and informed me that the Secretary of the organisation would be in touch to arrange framing and provide documentation of the artist.
I really hope they call again but I won’t lose sleep over it. I figure if they do call again or visit then they’ll have some great story about how they have to take the painting away for framing. They’ll have another thing coming if they do that.
Regardless of how much this painting is worth on the market, it’s going to have a proud place in my living room…framed by a reputable, local supplier…preferably with a little, gold plaque that says “Here is proof of the day I got scammed. – August 24th, 2009”
Written on August 3rd, 2009 by Beatlebabeno shouts
Chris Heyes
Nagarjuna Buddhist Meditation Centre is hosting a week long event called The Art of Enlightenment August 10-15th. This special course offers the opportunity to learn traditional Buddhist drawing and painting in the form of Thangkas.
These scroll paintings of Buddhas are used in meditation to inspire and encourage us to develop good qualities.
Usually painted on cotton or silk, mounted in frames with a pole at the top and bottom for hanging are used as icons to establish purity in a room where Buddhist dharma, or doctrine is taught. In most Tibetan homes the thangka, together with small bronze Buddhas, is an integral part of the family altar and a vehicle of visual dharma.
Kadam Chris Heyes, will be leading the course, is an accomplished Buddhist-style artist and has been practising Kadampa Buddhism for over 15 years.
Tibetan Buddhist art is an endangered craft and there are global initiatives to preserve and share it.
Tragically, since the Chinese occupation began in the 1940s, many temples were destroyed and with it wall paintings and sculptures, so that today there are probably many more Tibetan works of art in Western museums and private collections than presently exist in Tibet.
But all this really doesn’t define Yoko Ono as the woman, the wife, the mother, the artist or the activist.
After Lennon and Ono were married in 1969, they set about on a huge campaign for peace, taking interviews in bed, billboards all over New York announcing war is over! Bloody marvellous.
How about even in the same millennium?
Libraries around the Northamptonshire county are opening their doors to local artists thanks to the Creative Industries Programme Director, Malcolm Robinson.
Forty years after the uproarious heyday of the alternative press, writer Alan Moore is launching the 21st century’s first underground magazine from his home town of Northampton.
I guess it’s always the way with a scam. You look back on the events and you think “it was so obvious why did I fall for that?”
