In 2007, artist Yoko Ono dedicated her “Imagine Peace Tower” on Viðey Island near Reykjavik, to the late John Lennon on what would have been his 67th birthday. Made of projected light beams shooting as high as 4,000 meters (and powered by geothermal energy), the tower is emitted from a stone base inscribed with the words “Imagine Peace” in 24 languages.
Peace is a common theme for the 82-year-old multidisciplinary artist and activist who has championed it for decades, from her 1960 Bed-In for world peace with Lennon to addressing national tragedy and other issues (Columbine to fracking). Then there is her Lennon-Ono Grant for Peace, which awards money to artists. Now Ono is back at the Cosmopolitan, via her digital “Imagine Peace” artwork. Multilingual versions of the phrase are featured on the hotel’s Strip-side digital marquee and on the registration lobby’s digital screen-covered columns (along with an instrumental version of Lennon’s song “Imagine”).
This is the second time Ono’s work has been featured. The Cosmopolitan, in partnership with New York’s Art Production Fund, launched its digital PAUSE Program in 2010 with the artist. Additionally, guests can participate in Ono’s Wish Tree Project by writing out a wish and hanging it on a tree in the hotel’s spa. The wishes will eventually be sent to be stored at the Imagine Peace Tower, where more than a million wishes are buried underneath.
Imagine Peace Through July, every hour on the hour. Cosmopolitan marquee & registration lobby.