Lennon and 'Give Peace a Chance' (portrait courtesy Yoko Ono)
The exhibit is exciting, yet understated, in the best sense of the word, as Lennon originally drew and painted with no goal in mind other than to return to and enjoy the unselfconscious creativity we experience in childhood and typically abandon as we grow older and more “responsible.”
OTW Gallery Principal, Mimi Sperber-Wasserberg, who was instrumental in the curation of Give Peace a Chance, believes that for Lennon, creating art a way of reconciling a traumatic childhood with the love he found with his second wife and creative partner, Yoko Ono. “I think Yoko sparked something that allowed him to bloom again,” says Sperber-Wasserberg. “His artwork helped him heal.”
'The City in My Heart'
'A Bird Bath'
'Family of Peace'
'A Cat Napping'
'Power to the People'
Lennon’s trials and tribulations as a self-described “working-class hero,” who penned and sang his cri de coeur anthem “Help” at the height of his fame with The Beatles, are documented in songs that ranged from strange (“Strawberry Fields Forever”) to scorching (“I Want You [She’s So Heavy]”).
But he is also beloved for his post-Beatles repertoire, which includes such radio staples as “Instant Karma,” “Imagine,” and “Starting Over,” a paean to reconciliation with Ono and recorded in the last year of his life. (At age 40, Lennon was shot and fatally wounded by a deeply disturbed fan in the archway of The Dakota, where he and Ono had lived since 1973.)
In the wake of The Beatles breakup, and in his final years as a devoted husband and father, Lennon’s visual art garnered more attention, as it provided a subtle, ongoing commentary on living a relatively normal life in extraordinary circumstances. “He was not afraid to show the world what mattered most to him, which was people communicating,” says Sperber-Wasserberg of the subject matter Lennon explored in both his music and in his art.
Many of the drawings in Give Peace a Chance were created by John alongside his young son Sean. Lennon’s gift for wordplay and wry sense of humor is evident in the titles of this series: “An Elephant Counting” shows a pink elephant, big ears, trunk and all, at rest in a human’s bed, with an arc of sheep floating above its head. In “A Bird Bath,” a small, blue bird is perched atop an apple tree, enjoying a rainstorm as puddles form across the purple-colored landscape.
There are also Lennon’s drawings of himself and Yoko, realized in fluid, interwoven lines that suggest the spiritual connection they shared as soulmates. “Dream Power” is an homage to the cover of Ono’s 1970 debut solo album, Yoko Ono/Plastic Ono Band, although, in this version, she and Lennon are nude, just like planet Earth’s first creative power couple, Adam and Eve.
The title of the show comes from the 1969 Lennon song of the same name, where nonsensical rhyming in the verses (“Everybody’s talking about / bagism, shagism, dragism / this-ism, that-ism . . .” ) give way to the powerful refrain: “All we are saying / Is give peace a chance.” (A serigraph of Lennon’s handwritten lyrics is included in the exhibit.) Considering that the political unrest of our times feels so similar to that of the sixties and seventies, the message is both timely and timeless. “Lennon’s mindset wasn’t just 60 years ago. It’s applicable today,” says Sperber-Wasserberg firmly before adding with a laugh: “But I’m supposed to focus on the art!”
Give Peace a Chance: The Art of John Lennon is on view at Off the Wall Gallery from Aug. 20 to Sept. 7, 2024.
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Ferrari-Carano winery
The party starts Thurs., Sept. 19, at the popular Vintners Resort hideaway in Santa Rosa for a reception. After that warm-up, plan on exclusive add-on “Showdown Dinners” to choose from. On Friday, new events created by the Sonoma County Vintner’s include Winery Insider Tours. Pick your wine region — Dry Creek Valley, North Coast, etc. — and travel with the pros sightseeing, learning and tasting. Friday night Sept. 20, pull on your boots for Wine Country Nights: Boots, Bottles and Bites, which brings wild west fun to Sugarloaf Wine Co. for an evening of wine, food and live music. The beauty of the weekend is that you really don’t have to plan one thing. Just show up!
The Saturday auction, held at historical Chateau St. Jean, one of Foley Family Wines & Spirits’ luxury estates, culminates the three days. This charity auction moves briskly with bids on exclusive auction lots from rare wine to once-in-a-lifetime trips around the world. Rub shoulders with top winemakers while tasting regional wines and foods, and mingling with winery founders, industry luminaries, and big auction donors like Gallo, Jackson Family Wines, Foley Family Wines, Benovia Winery and Rodney Strong Vineyards.
But if you want to strike out on your own for a few days and nights, there are countless discoveries in the region. It’s worth it to make an appointment to visit Hamel Family Wines in the Sonoma Valley. The breathtaking contemporary winery offers several tasting experiences, including a must-do signature wine and food pairing prepared by the estate chef.
Also reserve ahead for one of the many remarkable experiences at Jordan Vineyard & Winery while savoring French-inspired wines. Established in 1970s, the 1,200-acre property takes a page from the beautiful French countryside, chateaus and all, and firmly plants it in Alexander Valley in the most authentic, modern way.
Optionally, cruise up Chalk Hill Road for valley views and taste a little bit of everything the region has to offer at Roth Estate Winery. Choose from several experiences including the BBQ lunch, tasting on the terrace, or the premier cave tasting. Nearby in Dry Creek Valley, Dutcher Crossing Winery is a fun stop for views, picnics on the lawn, petanque games, and eclectic white, rosé, zinfandel, wine blends and much more. First-timers to Dry Creek Valley should stop at the majestic Ferrari-Carano, an iconic winery flaunting ponds, dramatic fountains, endless views and Italian-inspired wines.
Sonoma County Wine Celebration (photo by Michael Woolsey)
Sonoma County Wine Auction
Chateau St. Jean
Where to Sleep: Vintners Resort
Vintners Resort
Located in Santa Rosa, Vintners Resort has long been a favorite for travelers seeking a regional hotel with walking spaces and amenities including culinary gardens, restaurants and spa. Plus, it’s the perfect jumping-off point for touring the different valleys including Sonoma, Dry Creek and Alexander Valley. The property is amid renovating John Ash & Co. Restaurant, and it recently hired new chef Sergio Howland who is creating several new dining options at the resort.
Where to Sleep: MacArthur Place Hotel & Spa
This Sonoma Valley hotel set on a historic 19th-century estate of lush gardens will charm you from the get-go. Many of the rooms are suites with fireplaces, porches or balconies and original art for local Sonoma artists. Culinary offerings include Layla with a Mediterranean-Cali menu; The Bar at MacArthur; and The Porch coffee shop.
Where to Sleep: Hotel Les Mars
Hotel Les Mars
When you’re looking for the crème de la crème of the area, look no further than the chic town of Healdsburg. Hotel Les Mars is a French chateau inspired luxury boutique hotel under the Relais & Chateaux umbrella. The serene space is filled with unique 17th- and 18th-century antiques and the marble bathrooms with deep soaking tubs are dreamy. Arandas is its new restaurant, which has a separate lounge for drinks and bites.
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