Though Yoko Ono is perhaps best known to the general public for her relationship with John Lennon, she is a titan of the avant garde art world -- one of the most respected figures of the past half-century, in fact. But considering the self-seriousness of contemporary art, Ono has a surprisingly sharp sense of humor, as a reference to 'The Simpsons' in her latest exhibit shows.
In an early episode of 'The Simpsons,' a caricature of Ono orders a drink next to Barney. While Barney orders a beer, Ono orders "a single plum, floating in perfume, served in a man's hat," a jab at the artist's pomposity. However, Ono seems to have enjoyed the joke, as one of the pieces in her exhibit is just that: a plum, floating in perfume, served in a bowler cap.
Sitcom-Referencing Contemporary Art
This Yoko Ono-Curated Work References a Line from The Simpsons
Trend Themes
1. Humorous Art References - As demonstrated by Yoko Ono's exhibit, there is a trend of contemporary artists incorporating references to pop culture and humor in their works.
2. Avant Garde Mainstream Appeal - Yoko Ono's successful career in the avant garde art world and her incorporation of pop culture references demonstrates a trend of making experimental art accessible to a broader audience.
3. Interdisciplinary Collaborations - Yoko Ono's curation of contemporary art pieces that reference popular culture and humor suggests an increasing trend towards interdisciplinary collaborations between artists and entertainment media creators.
Industry Implications
1. Contemporary Art - The incorporation of pop culture references and humor in contemporary art reflects an opportunity for artists to experiment with more accessible styles and broaden their audience and appeal.
2. Entertainment Media - As demonstrated by Yoko Ono's exhibit, entertainment media creators could benefit from collaborating with artists to create cross-disciplinary works that appeal to a broader audience.
3. Comedy - The successful inclusion of humor in Yoko Ono's exhibit suggests an opportunity for comedians and comedy writers to explore collaborations with contemporary artists in creating innovative works.