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Yoko Ono named Meltdown festival curator Yoko Ono named Meltdown festival curator
(about 4 hours later)
Yoko Ono has been named the next curator of the Meltdown festival at the Southbank centre in London. The musician, artist, author and activist, who celebrates her 80th birthday in February, will organise the 10-day event in June next year.Yoko Ono has been named the next curator of the Meltdown festival at the Southbank centre in London. The musician, artist, author and activist, who celebrates her 80th birthday in February, will organise the 10-day event in June next year.
Previous curators include David Bowie, Jarvis Cocker and Massive Attack. Antony Hegarty of Antony and the Johnsons took charge this year, with a lineup that included an appearance by the reclusive Cocteau Twins singer Elizabeth Fraser.Previous curators include David Bowie, Jarvis Cocker and Massive Attack. Antony Hegarty of Antony and the Johnsons took charge this year, with a lineup that included an appearance by the reclusive Cocteau Twins singer Elizabeth Fraser.
Ono has performed twice before at Meltdown, which celebrates its 20th anniversary next year. She appeared as part of Patti Smith's Meltdown in 2005 and again in 2009 under Ornette Coleman. Ono said: "I am deeply honoured to curate Meltdown. In doing so I am aware of the great tradition of experimentalism mixed with classicism that has made the festival such an enduring part of the British arts landscape. I am now starting to approach names from all over the world, some of whom you will know and some who might be new to your world. Let the fun begin!" Ono has performed twice before at Meltdown, which celebrates its 20th anniversary next year. She appeared as part of Patti Smith's Meltdown in 2005 and again in 2009 under Ornette Coleman.
The Tokyo-born entertainer moved to New York after the second world war. She has been married three times: to composer Toshi Ichiyanagi, to jazz musician Anthony Cox and to John Lennon. She and Lennon collaborated on several albums, starting with Unfinished Music No 1: Two Virgins in 1968 when he was still a Beatle. She has long been accused of being responsible for the break-up of the band, a charge Paul McCartney shot down in October. Talking to the Observer, who are Meltdown's media partners, Ono said of her putative programme:
/>"I'm not pursuing big names for the sake of big names. I'm thinking
/>along the lines of a concept, which is more refreshing. There will
/>definitely be an element of feminism and the plight of women, I am
/>very interested in that. All women are icons of feminism and we have a
/>responsibility to that. I am thinking of having one or two events
/>where I ask men to say something strong about themselves too."
Ono added that she is "deeply honoured" to be curating this year's festival.
Meltdown will take place from 14 to 23 June, and the full lineup will be announced next year. The Observer is the festival's media partner.Meltdown will take place from 14 to 23 June, and the full lineup will be announced next year. The Observer is the festival's media partner.