Simone Forti's Never-Before-Published Interview on Yoko Ono, Dance, and Aging
Hakim Bishara, editor-in-chief of Hyperallergic, shares an exclusive interview with performance artist Simone Forti, conducted by Julia Bryan-Wilson. Forti, who passed away last week in Los Angeles, reflects on her relationship with Yoko Ono, her experiences with aging, and her artistic journey. In 1961, Ono honored Forti by dedicating a piece to her, coinciding with the debut of 'Five Dance Constructions and Some Other Things' in Ono's loft in Manhattan. Born in Italy in 1935, Forti and Ono, born in Japan in 1933, were both influenced by the impacts of fascism and war. The newsletter also highlights the arrest of 16 protesters in Washington, DC, the closure of seven Smithsonian museums due to a malfunction, and features artist Anna Boghiguian's tapestries, along with a sponsored auction for LGBTQ+ Art showcasing prominent artists.
Key facts
- Simone Forti died in Los Angeles last week.
- Yoko Ono dedicated a screaming piece to Forti in 1961.
- Forti debuted 'Five Dance Constructions and Some Other Things' in Ono's Manhattan loft in 1961.
- The interview was conducted by Julia Bryan-Wilson and is published for the first time.
- Forti was born in Italy in 1935; Ono was born in Japan in 1933.
- Forti's Jewish family left Italy due to Mussolini's Racial Laws.
- Police arrested 16 protesters in the Hart Senate Office Building in Washington, DC.
- Seven Smithsonian museums closed due to a cooling system malfunction.
- Anna Boghiguian discussed her woven tapestries of Armenia's natural history.
- Gray Wielebinski is commissioned to reimagine Frieze London's restrooms.
- Swann Auction Galleries is hosting its 7th LGBTQ+ Art Material Culture & History auction.
- The auction includes works by Tom of Finland, Hugh Steers, Lorenza Böttner, Keith Haring, and Andy Warhol.
- Works are consigned by the Detroit Queer Biennial and the Leslie Lohman Museum.
Entities
Artists
- Simone Forti
- Yoko Ono
- Julia Bryan-Wilson
- Anna Boghiguian
- Gray Wielebinski
- Michelle Grabner
- Tom of Finland
- Hugh Steers
- Lorenza Böttner
- Keith Haring
- Andy Warhol
- Vincent van Gogh
- Miles J. Unger
- Hakim Bishara
Institutions
- Hyperallergic
- Smithsonian
- Hart Senate Office Building
- Swann Auction Galleries
- Detroit Queer Biennial
- Leslie Lohman Museum
- Frieze London
- Gagosian
- The Broad
Locations
- Los Angeles
- United States
- Manhattan
- New York City
- Italy
- Japan
- Washington, DC
- Armenia
- London
- United Kingdom
- Paris
- France
- Wisconsin