SKYLANDING is a place where the sky and earth meet and create a seed to learn about the past and come together to create a future of peace and harmony, with nature and each other. - YOKO ONO
SKYLANDING
SKYLANDING in the Garden of the Phoenix in Jackson Park, Chicago, is the first permanent work of art by Yoko Ono in the Americas, and a marker of her place as an artist of profound international influence and her lifelong mission for world peace.
SKYLANDING brings the artist's personal sense of hopefulness for humanity to the public at large. Her intention during its conception was to invite visitors to walk into the center of the lotus that rises from the ashes of the Phoenix Pavilion destroyed by arson in 1946 to look within ourselves and realize that peace and harmony begins within each of us.
The composition of SKYLANDING is a spatial experience that emerges from the past to form a new universal order. It radiates out from the center in four directions and appears strong, elegant, and approachable. With no extraneous detail, it is honest and true to itself. Layers of visual dynamism show space expanding to create an alignment of visualize form, space, and light.
As you walk through the petals, there is a tension between imperfect form and diversity of form, and the layout heightens the experience and balance of the piece. The two landforms placed at the north and south flow through the lotus and take the shape of yin-yang, or two primal opposing but complimentary forces found in all things in the universe.
Robert W. Karr, Jr., The Garden of the Phoenix Foundation
YOKO ONO
Born in Tokyo in 1933, Yoko Ono is an artist, poet, musician, and peace activist. Since the early 1960's audience participation and social activism have been crucial aspects of her work.
Ono is widely regarded as a pioneer of early conceptual, film, and performance art and for her involvement in the Fluxus movement. She collaborated on art and musical projects with her husband John Lennon until his death in 1980. In recent years, Ono has focused on environmental protection and human rights.
EVOLUTION OF SKYLANDING
In 2013, shortly after her 80th birthday, Yoko Ono was invited to visit the Garden of the Phoenix and the site of the Phoenix Pavilion in Chicago's historic Jackson Park. The Pavilion was a gift from Japan to the people of the United States following the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition and was lost to arson in 1946. There, the artist became inspired to create SKYLANDING.
“Upon my first visit to the site the lost Phoenix Pavilion I felt a powerful sense of place. I reflected upon the history of the pavilion’s creation and its destruction. I felt that this is a special place where we can learn from the past to create a future together.” Ono explains.
Yoko Ono worked with Robert Karr, Jr., the Garden of the Phoenix historian, to develop her concept of what would become SKYLANDING.
“Yoko has an extraordinary capability of distilling complex thought into art. SKYLANDING is story, a dialogue, a question, and a statement by Yoko to provoke each and all of us to consider our part in achieving world peace.” Karr explains.
A team of architects, fabricators, and other professionals were assembled to work work with Ono to complete the project. In addition to the sculpture, the project also included work with musicians, dancers, and a digital team to complete music, performance art, and website.
Phase I
(2013-2016)
In January 2015, after multiple visits to the Garden of the Phoenix, Ono awoke to a vision of a lotus - representing rebirth, hope and spiritual awakening - rising from the ashes of the Phoenix Pavilion destroyed by arson in 1946.
As a first step, Ono decided that we must “bring the sky down and cool the land and make it well again. Once healed, we can wake up in a new world. SKYLANDING will mark our new beginning."
On June 15, 2015, Ono held a ground healing ceremony and two large mounds were installed to form the shape of yin and yang where the wings of the Phoenix once spread over the land. This act freed the lotus to rise to the surface to create a space for each of us to walk into, look within ourselves, and realize that world peace and harmony must begin within each of us.
Phase II
(2016)
“Peace, like war and violence, is a choice. We can achieve peace, if each of us want it. What do you want?,” asks Ono.
On October 17, 2016, a 12-petal lotus sculpture rising from the ashes of the Phoenix Pavilion was dedicated on the site, and everyone is invited to answer Ono’s question.
This phase of work also included the CD-release of SKYLANDING Music of Yoko Ono by the Miyumi Project, the launch of skylanding.com and the installation at The Art Institute of Chicago of MENDED PETAL, the 13th lotus petal designed by the artist to commemorate the ground healing (obj. 237641).
The 2015 Ground Healing Ceremony and 2016 dedication of SKYLANIDNG were attended by members of the community, including Rahm Emanuel, Ambassador to Japan (then Mayor of the City of Chicago) and the Consul General of Japan. Music was performed the Miyumi Project and dance by Thodos Dance.
Phase III
Following the 2016 installation, Ono developed the final elements for SKYLANDING.
In 2019, final concepts were completed for the site, which are incorporated into the Vision 2025 Framework Plan for the Garden of the Phoenix.
To complete the SKYLANDING experience, SKYLANDING and the Japanese garden will become one again. Integrated as the lost Phoenix Pavilion and Japanese garden once were.
VISION 130 | SKYLANDING
SKYLANDING | DETAILS
ACKOWLEDGEMENTS
SKYLANDING was made possible through the generous donations by
Bernard Delgiorno
Joyce Chelberg
Special thanks and gratitude to the architects, fabricators, engineers, construction team, artists and other professionals who worked on the project, including
wHY
Vector
Mortenson
Heritage Landscapes
The Miyumi Project
Thodos Dance
The Garden of the Phoenix Foundation
Project 120 Chicago
Studio One
City of Chicago, Mayor’s Office
Chicago Park District
Jackson Park Advisory Council
The Art Institute of Chicago
The University of Chicago