Yoko Ono to Repeat Naked Appeal for World Peace

The Independent (UK) ^ | September 6, 2003 | Ian Burrell, Media and Culture Correspondent

[Bon mots]

For the first time in nearly 40 years, Yoko Ono is to perform one of her art "happenings" in which she invites her audience to cut off her clothing until she is naked on stage.

Ono, the widow of John Lennon, first performed the conceptual work Cut Piece as a peace protest in Japan in 1964.

At the age of 70, she is to repeat the protest in Paris later this month because of growing political tension in the world.

During the original stunt she took to the stage in a white gown, wielding a pair of scissors. Members of the audience were invited up to cut off the garment, piece by piece, while she remained motionless until she was left naked.

The original performance predated her relationship with Lennon but became one of her most notorious conceptual pieces. It was not the last time she appeared naked - she famously posed without clothes alongside her husband for the album Two Virgins.

Ono, who will perform at the Theatre Le Ranelagh, said she would ask the audience to cut off her clothing and "send it to the one you love".

Ono has used a variety of media for peace protests including billboards, demonstrations, the "Bed-In", films and records. She recently used a board overlooking Piccadilly Circus in London for a peace message.

She said she was moved to act because of political changes since the terror attacks in America on 11 September 2001. She said: "Force and intimidation were in the air. People were silenced. Cut Piece is my hope for World Peace. When I first performed this work, in 1964, I did it with some anger and turbulence in my heart.

"This time I do it with love for you, for me, and for the world."

[Bon mots]

What's yellow, ugly and lives off of dead Beatles?
I wouldn't have wanted to see her naked when she was 20, never mind when she's 70. YUCK!

[Rodney King]

Nasty. Please spare us the pictures.

[I_Love_My_Husband]

Ew. My EYES! MY EYES! This is so gross!!!!

She's always been UGLY and GROSS!!!

[prisoner6]

My eyes...MY EYES!...FOR THE LOVE OF GOD I'M BLIND!

prisoner6

[DoctorMichael]

At the age of 70, she is to repeat the protest in Paris la.............

Unfortunately, owing to her favorable statistical attributes, female and oriental, we may have 30 MORE years of this crap to endure.

[TomServo]

Already posted here.

[God luvs America]

This could work to our advantage...show the pictures to
Al-Queda and they'll most assuredly commit suicide..or in the case of Yoko: hari-kari!

[GaltMeister]

Yikes - massive, projectile hurl alert!

[GaltMeister]

I always thought it was 'hairy canary' LOL

[thoughtomator]

FZ had her pegged perfectly in Playground Psychotics... if you ever get a chance to pick this gem up, check out the track named "A small eternity with Yoko Ono".

[Southern California]

For the love of Mike, can't anyone persuade her not to do this? Oh the inhumanity of it all!

[.cnI redruM]

BWAAHHHH!!! Please, let me get my contacts out before you post the JPEGs.

[Focault's Pendulum]

Somebody call PETA.....beavers all over the world are hanging their heads in shame.

[InvisibleChurch]

well, no one can fight if their eyes are gouged out

[RightWhale]

Did she threaten to do this often? Tough choice, peace or Yoko.

[Russian Sage]

This could work to our advantage...show the pictures to Al-Queda..

... and tell them they each got 70 waiting in paradise.

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

I had a simlar thought. At 20-30 she was bestial; and, at 70!!!!!!!!

[tom h]

Yoko Ono is and always has been an arrogant twit. She wasn't beautiful or appealing, even when clothed, at age 30 when she married John. I shudder to think what she would look like now.

[wizardoz]

Behold, I present to you an ego even more profoundly massive than perhaps any seen thus far.