Grapefruit by Yoko Ono (Sphere)
Grapefruit is a book by Japanese-American artist Yoko Ono. An early example of conceptual art, it contains various event scores, or instruction works. Originally published in 1964 by Ono’s own imprint, Wunternaum Press, in Tokyo, a second edition came out in 1970, by Simon & Schuster in New York, Peter Owen in London, and Bärmeier & Nikel in Frankfurt.
Shown here is the paperback edition by Sphere Books in London from 1971, with more than 200 instruction works divided into seven sections: Music, Painting, Event, Poetry, Object, Film, and Dance. Some of the poem-like instructions begin with the word “Imagine” and have inspired Ono’s husband, John Lennon, to write his most famous song.
The cover design conflates the titular fruit with a reference to Ono’s Film No. 4 (Bottoms), a Fluxus film from 1966 that exclusively shows the naked bottoms of humans walking on a treadmill. The fonts in use are Stencil and what appears to be a version of Bookman Bold Swash, distinguished by a Y with a high crotch. The cover was printed by Acorn Litho Feltham.
“Burn this book after you’ve read it.” – Yoko
“This is the greatest book I’ve ever burned.” – John
Yoko Ono turned 90 this weekend. Happy birthday!
Yoko Ono and John Lennon at a book signing for Grapefruit in London
