Yoko Ono: Mend Piece

Yoko Ono’s iconic Mend Piece is showing at Whangārei Art Museum. Bringing people together in an act of collective healing, this installation is akin to the Japanese concept wabi-sabi, a mindset that embraces the flawed or imperfect.

In the centre of a seemingly simple white stage set, fragments of broken china cups and saucers are placed on a table, and viewers are invited to mend them with glue, tape, and string. After mending, the pieces are displayed on shelves.

This exhibition is organised by the American Federation of Arts (AFA).

The presentation of Yoko Ono’s Mend Piece (Andrea Rosen Gallery, New York City version) is part of ArtRoom, an ongoing series of contemporary art installations organised by the AFA.

Image credit: Yoko Ono, Mend Piece, (Andrea Rosen Gallery, New York City version), 1966/2015. Installation image courtesy of Rennie Museum.