Review: BREATHEWATCHLISTENTOUCH: the Work and Music of Yoko Ono at the Walt Disney Concert Hall

On Friday, March 22, the LA Phil presented BREATHEWATCHLISTENTOUCH: The Work and Music of Yoko Ono at Walt Disney Concert Hall as part of the LA Phil's season-long Fluxus Festival, produced in partnership with the Getty Research Institute and Girlschool who named the concert after Ono's Dance Piece X which includes a Fluxus score that is a fitting summation of the grace, love, and sense of peace that permeates her career.

Before the concert began, audience members were invited to search out art installation pieces within the Walt Disney Concert Hall reception areas, each set up to reflect quotes from Ono's book, Grapefruit. It was a wondrous way to begin the evening, challenging yourself to do exactly what was asked of you, from standing together with others so your shadows become one to selecting a pebble in which to whisper your name and then pass it on to a friend, among several others. It was a wonderful way to remind us of Ono's unique vision of the universe and spirit of the human soul while encouraging own imagination and participation.

Perhaps one of the most influential artistic figures of the 20th century, Yoko Ono's work as a performance artist and musician is conceptually bold and politically confrontational. In fact, her career can broadly be understood as a lifelong performance poem, with her early art and music pieces created in New York City a compelling opening line in her always positive narrative. Probably best known for exhibiting her implicit positivity in Ceiling Painting/Yes Painting, in which the viewer climbs a ladder in the gallery space and uses a magnifying glass to see the word "Yes" painted on the ceiling due to the 1966 staging of the piece which charmed John Lennon, leading to their eventual artistic and romantic partnership. That world-altering relationship was celebrated at the end of the evening's concert with the audience invited to join in on "Imagine," the duo's ode to world peace and unity. But making the moment even more special was the revelation that Yoko Ono was, in fact, seated in the audience!

An adamant feminist, Ono chose to live her life and create her art exactly as she envisioned it from moment to moment. But this evening's entertainment was delivered with a lyrical touch - one informed by her dedication to peace and spirituality - giving it a great sense of warmth and humanity. And no doubt, many in the audience found themselves soaring above the noise in the world as the mystical sound of birds chirping above our heads greeted us as we entered the performance space. That warmth has inspired an incredible range of artists and musicians, and continues to resound today throughout the artistic world.

Throughout the exceptional evening, both Ono's art and music were performed by a diverse group of artists in a concert-length celebration of her 60-plus-year career. Special guests who performed their own interpretations of Ono's work included (in order of appearance) Miya Folick, La Marisoul, Nina McNeely, Madame Gandhi, Francisca Valenzuela, We Are KING, Amber Coffman, Sudan Archives, Kamil Oshundara, St. Vicent, and Shirley Manson, with several accompanied by an all-female choir dressed in white. For full artist bios, please visit laphil.com/breathewatchlistentouch. Several acts reflected elements of fantasy through costuming which seemed to float upon the wind, encouraging us to "Breathe, Watch, Listen, Touch, and move between the Earth and Sky."

Standout moments during the concert included the audience being invited to scream at the top of their lungs, first into the wind, then at the wall, and finally up against the sky during which all the tension of the day seemed to rise from within me and blast out into the space above me. Moments such as this certainly reflected Ono's vision of being "present" at all times, making sure to say exactly what you mean.

And I certainly wish I could remember all of Ono's quotes asking the five "W" questions of Who, What, Why, When, and Where, read by Kamil Oshundara while accompanied by an emotionally-inspiring violinist. But here are a few which inspired the greatest audience response: "Who said it was normal to work from 9 to 5?"

"What makes you think we cannot talk to the dead?"

"Why do you feel minimized when I need more space?"

"Let's take a moment for my rage."

"What if I told you it was best to listen?"

Thank you, Yoko Ono, for challenging the world to open our eyes, hearts, and minds to the possibility of living in a world of peace and love where artistic expression is forever allowed to float freely around us. I am so happy you were there to see just how mainstream your forward-thinking artistic vision has become.

More About Fluxus
Fluxus was a wily, nebulous - and deeply influential - anti-establishment art movement that emerged in the 1960s. Comprised of an international collective of artists, composers, and poets, Fluxus aimed to collapse what it considered the false wall between art and life. The LA Phil's Fluxus Festival is a survey curated by Christopher Rountree, in collaboration with the Getty Research Institute, in which the often humorous, frequently challenging music and performances of Fluxus will be presented on and off-site. This exploration will include a combination of live events, printed materials, and symposia, including surprise appearances, installations, and performances throughout the LA Phil's 2018/19 Centennial season. For more information about Fluxus Festival please visit: laphil.com/fluxus

More About Girlschool

Founded by Anna Bulbrook in 2016, Girlschool is a music festival and creative community with a mission: to celebrate, connect, and lift women-identified artists, leaders, and voices. This is the LA Phil's first collaboration with Girlschool. For more information about Girlschool please visit: girlschoolla.com.

About the Los Angeles Philharmonic
The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, under the vibrant leadership of Music & Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel, presents an inspiring array of music from all genres - orchestral, chamber, and Baroque music, organ and celebrity recitals, new music, jazz, world music, and pop - at two of L.A.'s iconic venues, Walt Disney Concert Hall (laphil.com) and the Hollywood Bowl (hollywoodbowl.com). The LA Phil's season at Walt Disney Concert Hall, located at 111 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012, extends from September through June, with tickets for future events available in person at the box office or by phone at (323) 850-2000. Throughout the summer, LA Phil performs at the Hollywood Bowl. With the preeminent Los Angeles Philharmonic at the foundation of its offerings, the LA Phil aims to enrich and transform lives through music, with a robust mix of artistic, education, and community programs.

Photos by Ian Byers-Gamber for the LA Phil and Maria Jose Govea for Girlschool and LA Phil

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