Art is like breathing for me. If I don't do it, I start to choke.
Yoko Ono’s quote, "Art is like breathing for me. If I don't do it, I start to choke," conveys the essential and life-sustaining role that art plays in her existence. Ono, an avant-garde artist and activist, compares art to something as vital as breathing, suggesting that it is a fundamental part of who she is. Just as we cannot live without breathing, she feels that she cannot fully live without creating and expressing herself through art.
The phrase "if I don't do it, I start to choke" reinforces the idea that art is not just a hobby or occupation for Ono, but a necessity for her emotional and mental well-being. Without it, she feels restricted, unable to breathe freely. This comparison emphasizes the deep connection she has with art, making it clear that her need to create is not optional but intrinsic to her sense of self.
Ono, known for her work in conceptual art and performance art, has often explored themes of personal expression, freedom, and the interconnectedness of individuals and the world. This quote reflects her belief that art is a powerful outlet for both personal expression and self-preservation. Her works often challenge conventional boundaries, encouraging others to see art as a means of survival and emotional release.
Ultimately, Ono’s statement highlights how art can be a lifeline, vital for the soul, offering a space for creativity and expression that nourishes the spirit. Her comparison to breathing suggests that without art, she would feel stifled and unable to fully engage with the world around her.
GGiang
Yoko Ono’s metaphor is so intense—it elevates art from passion to necessity. But I can’t help but think about the privilege embedded in that statement. What about people who don’t have time or resources to create? Are they metaphorically ‘choking’ every day without even realizing it? Does our society do enough to support artistic survival as part of human well-being, or is it still seen as optional or indulgent?
NTNhu Anh Nguyen Thi
This quote makes me curious about how different people define their lifelines. For Ono, it’s art. But for others, it might be connection, nature, faith, or movement. Is creative expression just one version of something we all crave—a way to make sense of existence? Or is there something specific about art that uniquely nourishes the soul? I’d be interested in hearing how others interpret their own version of ‘breathing.’
DHDiep Ha
I really admire how unapologetically Yoko Ono speaks about the necessity of art in her life. It’s not a hobby; it’s vital. But I wonder—does this apply only to traditional forms like painting, music, or sculpture? Or can things like coding, gardening, or activism also count as ‘art’ if they serve that same life-sustaining role? What defines an activity as art in this context: the medium, the intention, or the emotion behind it?
CDNguyen Gi Cung Duoc
This is such a visceral metaphor. I can relate, but I also wonder—what does it mean to rely on art that deeply? Can it become isolating or make someone feel disconnected from people who don’t share that need? If someone’s entire identity is built around creating, how do they handle periods of burnout or creative block? It’s beautiful and a little scary at the same time.
ATle hoang anh thu
Yoko Ono’s words feel like a cry for artistic necessity, not just expression. Do you think everyone has something like that in their life—a thing they *need* to do to feel alive? Or is this level of creative urgency unique to artists? It makes me wonder if creativity is a universal human impulse or a calling only some people feel this intensely. What drives that difference?