By Cansu Peker

Yoko Ono has long been a trailblazer in conceptual and participatory art – her career, spanning over seven decades, is marked by a relentless commitment to art as a vehicle for social change, introspection, and communal experience. While her earlier works are often associated with the avant-garde Fluxus movement and performance art, Ono's practice has seamlessly transitioned into the digital age, embracing technology to expand the reach and impact of her participatory works.

yoko ono digital arts blog — Yoko Ono with *Glass Hammer*, 1967, from *Half-A-Wind Show*, Lisson Gallery, London, UK, 1967. Artwork © Yoko Ono. Photo © Clay Perry.

A Pioneer in Conceptual and Interactive Art

Ono first gained international recognition in the 1960s for her groundbreaking performances and "instruction pieces," where she invited audiences to become active participants in the art-making process. Works like Cut Piece (1964), where viewers were encouraged to cut away pieces of her clothing, exemplified her radical approach to art as a shared, interactive experience. This emphasis on audience involvement has remained a core principle throughout her career and has naturally extended into the digital realm.

Sound, Participation, and Digital Spaces

One of the most striking examples of Ono’s digital engagement is her project SOUND PIECE V (1996/2024), featured in the online exhibition Sound Machines. Originally conceived in 1996, the latest iteration of this work leverages digital platforms to create a communal archive of laughter. Participants can submit their own recordings, adding their voices to a growing, freely accessible collection that will persist in perpetuity. This project transforms the ephemeral act of laughter into a collective, digital monument to joy and human connection.

The significance of SOUND PIECE V lies in its brilliant blend of technology and Ono’s longstanding belief in participatory art. By using digital means to invite global contributions, she expands the communal nature of the work beyond physical boundaries, allowing anyone with an internet connection to engage. The project remains rooted in her ethos of openness and shared creativity.

The Tate Modern Retrospective: Digital and Immersive Aspects

In 2024, Tate Modern’s retrospective of Ono’s work further highlighted her engagement with interactive and digital mediums. The exhibition featured over 200 works across various media, including performance documentation, music recordings, and participatory installations. Key works included Wish Tree (1996–present), an evolving piece where visitors tie written wishes to tree branches, and My Mommy is Beautiful (2004), which invites people to share thoughts about motherhood.

A central theme of the retrospective was the intersection of Ono’s artistic philosophy with new media. Many of her works have taken on new digital dimensions, allowing for greater accessibility and engagement. The exhibition included multimedia installations where visitors could contribute via digital platforms, further emphasizing how technology can amplify participatory art.

Music of the Mind: MCA Chicago’s 2025 Exhibition

Looking ahead, the upcoming Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind exhibition at the MCA Chicago (opening October 18, 2025) will further explore her digital and immersive works. This retrospective promises to be one of the most comprehensive exhibitions of Ono’s career, featuring installations that merge conceptual art with new media technologies. From archival materials to digital sound pieces, the exhibition will showcase the ways Ono has adapted her practice to contemporary technological landscapes.

Digital Participation as a Legacy

Ono’s approach to digital and interactive art reflects her lifelong dedication to breaking down barriers between artist and audience. By integrating technology into her participatory works, she has ensured that her art remains relevant and accessible in an increasingly digital world. Her projects, like SOUND PIECE V, exemplify how digital spaces can be used to foster community, amplify voices, and preserve collective experiences.

In a time when technology often isolates individuals, Ono’s work reminds us of its potential to connect. Her digital and interactive projects are about creating shared experiences that transcend time, space, and even the artist’s own presence. Through laughter, wishes, and voices, Yoko Ono continues to shape art as an evolving conversation, embracing both tradition and the possibilities of the digital future.