In anticipation of its reopening on August 29, The Metropolitan Museum of Art will unveil tomorrow a timely new work of art on its Fifth Avenue facade—for the first time dedicating the spaces usually used for exhibition banners to display art. The work, Yoko Ono’s DREAM TOGETHER (2020), offers a powerful message of hope and unity to the world. Created by the artist in response to the global COVID-19 crisis, the two banners, measuring 24 x 26 feet, are composed of black letters on a white field, with the word “DREAM” placed south of the Museum’s main entrance and the word “TOGETHER” to the north.
Ono’s bold and inspiring work joins Wangechi Mutu’s installation of four bronze sculptures—The NewOnes, will free Us (2019), which sit in the niches of the exterior of the building—to create a meaningful presentation of contemporary art on the Museum’s Beaux-Arts facade.
Daniel H. Weiss, President and CEO, commented, “As the Museum now looks to our reopening, this display is a signal of the life returning to New York City and The Met, both of which thrive on community and a sense of shared optimism for the strength of the human spirit and the power of art to bring comfort, inspire resilience, and help us understand our turbulent times.”
“Yoko Ono’s work for The Met and for New York is an urgent, poetic message of unity, positivity, and aspiration. As the world begins to slowly emerge from this unprecedented time of distress, uncertainty, and isolation, and as important calls to action are happening and being heard throughout the U.S., Yoko’s DREAM TOGETHER invites fellow New Yorkers to honor the challenges, the suffering, and the loss by inspiring hope and acknowledging connection,” said Max Hollein, Director of the Museum. “For 150 years, The Met has been a place where one can commune with our local and our global cultures. We hope that this moving and uplifting work sends a signal of resilience and unity to all.”
Yoko Ono commented, “When we dream together, we create a new reality. The world is suffering terribly, but we are together, even if it can be hard to see at times, and our only way through this crisis will be together. Each one of us has the power to change the world. Remember love. DREAM TOGETHER.”
Yoko Ono’s Dream Together will be on view from August 20 through September 13, 2020 on the Museum’s Fifth Avenue facade. The banners join Wangechi Mutu: The NewOnes on the facade.
The work will be featured on The Met’s website, as well as on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter using the hashtag #DREAMTOGETHERNYC.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is celebrating 150 years. The Museum will reopen on August 29, 2020.
Get a sneak-peek of Héctor Zamora, Lattice Detour on the roof.
Check the Visitor Guidelines Page for new protocols.
Did you know that Yoko Ono designed the MTA Art Mural on Central Park West at 72nd Street? #Imagine
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