Nous vous livrons ci-après une interview donnée par Yoko Ono au journal américain « Contra Costa Times ».
Q Tell us about the new exhibit.
A The exhibit is about John’s artwork. In the beginning it was very hard. People have pegged it as art by a pop star. There was prejudice while he was alive, that a pop star couldn’t be an artist, too. He was about peace and love and understanding. All you need is love.
Q What did you think about the kid back east who was thrown out of the mall a couple months ago for wearing the « Give Peace a Chance » shirt?
A I was just totally shocked. We talk about free speech, but … it’s scary. But there really is a center of people intrigued toward the peace ad, toward the bed-in (in 1969 when Ono and Lennon had press conferences from their bed at the Amsterdam Hilton to protest the Vietnam War).
Q Does this exhibit deal directly with current world events?
A No, but when you talk of John, you talk of peace and love. Give peace a chance. He’s almost a symbol of world peace. Definitely it’s connected to love and peace and that sort of thing. It’s necessary. It started when Reagan was president and people thought peace was a dirty word. This exhibit was going around at the time, and people were flooding to it and meeting each other. It was a side show that was a unique meeting point. Now people are afraid to talk.
Q How would John have reacted to the current situation in Iraq?
A He would be upset, of course, but I don’t think he’d point fingers. What he was saying at the bed-in was that pointing fingers was useless. He understood that (the politicians) don’t understand. We’re making them into our daddies, and they’re not. The power they have is the power we gave them. They rely on confusion, fear and ignorance.
Q Are there any new developments in the spat between you and Paul McCartney over his decision to switch the order of songwriting credits of Beatle songs on his latest live album?
A I have no idea. You’d have to ask Paul. Is it over? I hope so, but I don’t know. It’s his decision. It was a shock and I’m unhappy about it, but I’m moving on. World peace and all that.
Q The public came down pretty hard on him. Being that he’s always been a media favorite, while you haven’t always been the most sympathetic figure when it comes to the Beatles, was that a role reversal of sorts?
A I’m not a sympathetic figure at this point. For a few months after John’s death I was, then to everyone I became « the richest widow in the world, » which wasn’t a very nice thing. One article said « Now we can be straight with her, she’s not sympathetic, » and I was the Dragon Lady, and all that. You never get used to it.
Q Do you attach any significance to turning 70?
A No, not really. I’m starting over. The record was a start. I’m getting more active. My world is getting larger for me.
Q What are your children doing?
A My daughter Kyoko is a very strong, independent woman. That’s part of my life I don’t talk about. (Kyoko’s father kept her in hiding after Ono married Lennon, and the two were only reunited a few years ago.) She’s a very private person. Sean is in the studio right now, making music.
Q How did George Harrison’s death affect you?
A It affected me a lot, especially when I think about (Harrison’s widow and son) Olivia and Dhani. Now there’s only two Beatles left. It’s a very different feeling.
Q Where do you go from here?
A I’d like to make another record, but it’s a busy year for me. I have too much to do this year. Next year, hopefully, I can go on tour. Let’s put it this way, I have seven countries I have to talk to today, so let’s move on. Bye. »
