Cultured North East : Baltic turns to Yoko Ono to join in worldwide call for peace (by David Wethstone)
Yoko Ono’s IMAGINE PEACE at BALTIC
Yoko Ono is making a return to Baltic; not in person, as in 2008 when her work was the subject of a major exhibition at the Gateshead centre for contemporary art, but as an artistic presence.
Her IMAGINE PEACE artwork, exhibited as part of that show, is being displayed again as a banner on the outside of the building to mark International Day of Peace on Saturday, September 21.
With so much conflict dominating headlines, it can do no harm – whatever cynics might say - to pay heed to Yoko’s plea to “think peace, spread peace and act peace”.
Baltic is marking the day with activities aimed at encouraging reflection on peace and unity.
Visitors will be invited to add messages to a trio of Yoko-inspired Peace Trees and participate in creative writing workshops.
At 6pm on Saturday they will be asked to join in a Moment of Peace, a music-accompanied vigil until sunset.
Baltic director Sarah Munro says: “The theme of inclusivity and diversity will be at the heart of the events and activities as we underline our commitment to being a Gallery of Sanctuary by marking United Nation’s International Day of Peace.
“With the kind permission and blessing of the artist, Yoko Ono’s famous artwork banner will once again adorn the building as communities across our region and the world reflect on building a culture of peace.”
Sarah Munro. Credit: Mark Pinder
The IMAGINE PEACE banner will be displayed until the end of the year.
Meanwhile Baltic has announced its programme for autumn and winter which includes another of its popular play-related interactive shows.
Play Interact Explore, opening on October 12, is a touring exhibition by artists Lucy Cran and Bill Leslie who are also co-directors of Look Then Leap which they founded in 2019 to put into practice their belief that contemporary art should be something everyone can get involved in.
The exhibition, running until June next year, explores play and collaboration and features large, tactile sculptural objects and colourful assemblages.
In yet another response to the felling of the Sycamore Gap tree a year ago, Heartwood will feature five prints made by Shona Branigan from a cross section of the tree’s trunk.
Heartwood print by Shona Branigan. © National Trust Images, Credit: The House of Hues
The prints, commissioned by the National Trust, will go on display at Baltic on October 23 and remain until January 26, a memorial to the lost landmark on Hadrian’s Wall.
December sees the opening of a solo exhibition by Newcastle-based artist Mani Kambo who has exhibited previously in group exhibitions at Baltic and more recently Newcastle Arts Centre.
The artist’s work is characterised by personal totemic symbols reflecting her family history.
“Baltic has always been rooted in the local area and committed to reflecting the North East’s diverse communities,” says Sarah Munro
Mani Kambo who is to exhibit at Baltic
“We’re incredibly proud to be presenting Mani Kambo’s first institutional exhibition, a collection of work influenced by the artist’s upbringing in a Sikh household filled with superstition, prayer and religious ceremony.”
The exhibition, incorporating textiles, fabric dyeing and printmaking, will open on December 7 and run until June 2 next year.
Then there’s Happy Mart, running from October 12 until March 2, described as a pop-up collaboration between textile artist Bianco Perry and ceramicist Alex Sickling featuring gifts and handmade decorative pieces for sale.
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