The Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) in Chicago is presenting "Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind," a major retrospective of the artist's work that runs from October 18, 2025, to February 22, 2026. The exhibition features over 200 works spanning Ono's career, including interactive installations like "Wish Trees" and "Mend Piece," as well as iconic performances such as "Cut Piece." The show, which originated at the Tate Modern in London and will travel to The Broad in Los Angeles, highlights Ono's role in the Fluxus movement and her pioneering use of instruction-based art, film, and mixed media. The article also notes Ono's connection to Chicago through her permanent public sculpture "Sky Landing" in Jackson Park.
This exhibition matters because it positions Yoko Ono as a significant artist in her own right, separate from her marriage to John Lennon, and underscores her enduring influence on conceptual and participatory art. By presenting a chronological and cross-continental survey, the MCA aims to correct the historical tendency to overlook Ono's contributions to avant-garde movements like Fluxus. The show's emphasis on community engagement and healing—through works that invite audience participation—reflects contemporary art's growing focus on interactivity and social practice, making Ono's decades-old innovations feel timely and relevant.