Q+A with Yoko Ono for Dagbladet MAGASINET
June 5, 2009

How is life? Are you doing well?
So far, so good

What was your first thought when you woke up this morning?
I hope it's a good day.

What will you say about your work, Cut Piece 2003 and 1965, which are showed in Oslo this summer as a part of the exhibition "Off the Beaten Path?” In what way does this work represent violence against women?
I want to express works like Cut Piece, to heal.

Are you still producing new material as an artist and musician?
I just finished installing my show in Palazzetto Tito. I think it is my best work, so far, of 76 years. I also just finished making my latest album: BETWEEN MY HEAD AND THE SKY produced by me and Sean Lennon. Four of the songs are coming our in June 9th on iTunes. The whole album will be coming out September 21st. I'll be doing a few concerts for that. Calling it a tour will be an exaggeration. I'm just doing five or six concert around the world.

What inspires you?
What inspires me comes from BETWEEN MY HEAD AND THE SKY. My head is opened to the sky. The passage is totally clear. That does it, I think

It has often been said about your work that you erase the boundaries between your art and your private life. Do you agree?
I am one of the people I sing about. I often sing about somebody else in my song, but it all comes back to me, anyway - probably because we are all so closely connected: one world, one people

What is it you want to accomplish with your work?
I want to give inspiration and encouragement to people to make a great life for themselves. I also want to bring out sad situations in life so they will be healed.

What are you looking most forward to right now?
I just want to have a good day, every day in life

Who was your first love?
My mother.

Who would you like to send off to a desert island?
I can't name them all because there are so many! (just a joke!:) My heart gets upset just like anybody else's when somebody is mean to me. But my brain tells me that it is probably a blessing in disguise and I should not get too upset about them

What's most important in your life right now?
My eternal health, spiritually, mentally and physically...And my relationship with my son. Not necessarily in that order!

If there was a heaven, what would you want God to say when you arrived?
He doesn't have to say anything to me. I think I more or less know what he would say. "Welcome, my child," or something of that nature. I have a few questions I want him to answer. Depending on that, I may not want to be his guest.

yoko ono Venice, '09