Performance | Spätschicht x Pop-Kultur Festival
Interpretations of Yoko Ono’s Grapefruit
Performances by Jimmy Robert’s Class
Students of Jimmy Robert’s Class © Elena Herrmann
In 1964, Yoko Ono published more than 200 instructions in her book Grapefruit. Jimmy Robert’s class at the Berlin University of the Arts will present their own interpretations of Ono’s instructions as part of Spätschicht x Pop-Kultur Festival at Gropius Bau.
Ono’s instructions compiled in Grapefruit were written between 1953 and 1964 and convey her ideas during this period. The book is considered one of her foundational texts and a cornerstone of conceptual art. Ono’s instructions can be performed by anyone. Many of them have been realised as physical artworks, through performance, participation, film, painting and sculpture. Others are intended to be carried out entirely in the mind.
The grapefruit is a recurring motif for Ono. To her, the fruit is a hybrid between an orange and a lemon and represents “East and West, the two cultures in my life.”
Over the course of several months, Jimmy Robert’s class engaged with Yoko Ono’s instruction pieces, exploring the potential of imagination as a catalyst for empathy and collective action. Through their performances, participants respond to selected instructions with vocal, physical, interactive, or conceptual interpretations – sometimes individually, in pairs, or in groups.
Performers: Alina Amer, Ben Behrends, Sarah Estio, Shiwa Ghanbari, Elena Herrmann, Eva Ingver, Alexandra Ittner, Jiwoo Lee, Jusun Lee, Jared Marks, Bea Mensing, Holly Mia, Hans Ali, Abiye Okujagu, Almitra Pyritidis, Sol, Ella Bliss Walker
The project is conceptually accompanied by Sandhya Daemgen and Douglas Boatwright under the direction of Jimmy Robert.
Image Gallery
Students of Jimmy Robert’s Class
© Elena Herrmann
Students of Jimmy Robert’s Class
© Elena Herrmann
Students of Jimmy Robert’s Class
© Elena Herrmann
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