Tumbling for Yoko: bullish snappers fell our reporter as Ono hits Irish Museum of Modern Art (Thursday 6 May 2004)
compiled by Liz Aders
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| Facing the music: Yoko Ono and part of the 'scrum' |
I normally bring the digital camera to genteel art openings and take pictures of arty types drinking wine. So I was not prepared for the bunfight today as Yoko Ono posed for the Irish media. Photographers and cameramen surged towards the diminutive celebrity, who is in Dublin for the opening of the Art for Amnesty In the Time of Shaking exhibition at the Irish Museum of Modern Art (more here ).
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| Walking the walk |
Ono is a huge celebrity - strictly AAA list. She serenely walked and posed amongst the frenzy, the only calm island in a frenetic ocean of activity. I am clearly green and as I try and get closer to Yoko, I'm stopped by the PR company who are suspicious of a female photographer clasping a tiny digital camera, surrounded by a gaggle of enormous protruding lenses. Professional photographers are nearly all men - you need to be strong and thick-skinned in this industry and I'm soon to learn why.
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| The lads line up... |
The photographers are now roaring: "Yoko! Yoko! Look at me, look at me" as they push and shove each other for the perfect picture. I finally ride the tide to the front of the pack and, determined to get my picture, I hold my ground. Suddenly a barrage of abuse arises from the photographers behind me to "get the fuck out of the way." I ignore them and continue to snap away - hey, I can do this media thing! Next thing I'm face down on the ground and being trampled on as the media circus surges ahead.
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| Timber! Down she goes as things get het up... |
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| Still jostling for that shot... |
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| ...hitting the ground, hard. |
I think I'll stick to gallery openings in future.
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| Ono's bodyguard bids me to keep my distance |
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| I'm still watching you... |
Aside from today's activities, the exhibition has produced some exceptional artwork. Professor Ciarán Benson, Project Chairman of the exhibition, must be commended on selecting an excellent selection of contemporary Irish art. The exhibition also works extremely well in IMMA's maze of smaller rooms. And good news for anyone wanting to purchase - art is still available to buy, although around half the pieces are now sold or reserved. Click here to see what's on show, and what's left for purchase.
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| Ciarán Benson, the show's organiser |
Photographs by a bruised and battered Liz Aders
Comment 1 on 2004-05-06 14:56:40
Bleeding for your art: Even a single Aussie chick is able for the Irish scrum!
Comment 2 on 2004-05-09 11:01:03
I was the woman with the tiny digital camera! Not only did I get some really good shots of her but I also got her autigraph just as she left in her car!
Amanda McCaughren
amandamccaughren@hotmail.com
Comment 3 on 2004-05-09 11:01:20
I was the woman with the tiny digital camera! Not only did I get some really good shots of her but I also got her autigraph just as she left in her car!
Amanda McCaughren
amandamccaughren@hotmail.com
Comment 4 on 2004-05-09 11:01:37
I was the woman with the tiny digital camera! Not only did I get some really good shots of her but I also got her autigraph just as she left in her car!
Amanda McCaughren
amandamccaughren@hotmail.com
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