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.

After numerous visits to the Garden of the Phoenix between 2013 and 2015, Ono conceived of SKYLANDING—a 12-petal lotus sculpture rising from the ashes of the Phoenix Pavilion representing rebirth, hope and spiritual awakening.

SKYLANDING, which was dedicated in October 2016, 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.

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.

PROJECT EVOLUTION

In 2013, shortly after her 80th birthday, Yoko Ono visited the Garden of the Phoenix and the site of the Phoenix Pavilion that was tragically destroyed by arson in 1946.

“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 a team of architects, fabricators, and other professionals led by Robert Karr, Jr., Mark Thomann, Michael Dimitroff, and Karen Szyjka to complete the project, which included SKYLANDING and MENDED PETAL, as well as a variety of work with musicians, dancers, and a digital team to complete music, performance art, and a 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 to realizing her vision, Ono decided to, in her words, “bring the sky down and cool the land and make it well again. Once healed, SKYLANDING can emerge and mark our new beginning."

On June 15, 2015, Ono held a ground healing ceremony and two large mounds were installed in the form of yin and yang at the approximately location where the wings of the Phoenix once spread over the land. 

Phase II (2016)

On October 17, 2016, SKYLANDING was dedicated on the site. In attendance were hundreds of members of the community, including Rahm Emanuel (former Ambassador to Japan and then Mayor of the City of Chicago) and the Consul General of Japan. Music was performed the Miyumi Project and dance by Thodos Dance.

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).

Phase III

Following the 2016 installation, Ono developed the final elements for SKYLANDING.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

SSKYLANDING and MENDED PETAL 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 and contributed to the project, including

Studio One

wHY

Vector

Mortenson

Heritage Landscapes

Envisionit

The Miyumi Project

Thodos Dance

The Garden of the Phoenix Foundation

Project 120 Chicago

City of Chicago, Mayor’s Office

Chicago Park District

Jackson Park Advisory Council

The Art Institute of Chicago

The University of Chicago