Los Angeles is about to get a lot more quiet. Not the traffic—that’s a lost cause—but the visual noise of the city is getting a massive, conceptual reset. If you’ve driven down Wilshire or Santa Monica Boulevard lately, you’re used to being sold protein shakes and summer blockbusters. But starting now, the legendary Yoko Ono is hijacking that space. She isn't selling anything. Instead, she’s plastering the city with massive billboards that simply say "PEACE is POWER." It’s part of the Broad museum’s sweeping survey of her work, and honestly, it’s the kind of disruption LA needs right now.
This isn’t just a marketing stunt for a museum show. It’s a continuation of a project Ono started with John Lennon back in 1969. Back then, they used billboards to tell the world the war was over "if you want it." Fast forward to 2026, and the message feels even more urgent. The Broad is bringing Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind to town, and they’re making sure you don't even have to buy a ticket to feel the impact. If you found value in this post, you should check out: this related article.
Why Yoko Ono Matters More Than Ever
People love to joke about Yoko. They focus on the screaming or the "breaking up the Beatles" myth, which is tired and objectively wrong. If you actually look at her career, she was a pioneer of conceptual art long before it was cool. She’s been using the public square as her canvas for sixty years. These billboards are part of that legacy. They force you to stop thinking about your to-do list for a split second and engage with a big, messy idea.
The Broad’s exhibit is the biggest collection of her work to hit the West Coast in years. It covers everything from her early Fluxus days in New York to her massive installations. But the billboards are the soul of the thing. They take the art out of the white-walled gallery and put it where people actually live. You see it from your car. You see it while you're walking the dog. You can't opt-out of the message. For another perspective on this event, refer to the recent coverage from Variety.
The Art of the Public Statement
Public art usually feels like an afterthought. You get a weird bronze statue in a corporate plaza that nobody looks at. Ono’s work is different because it’s text-based and confrontational in the softest way possible. "PEACE is POWER" isn't a suggestion. It's a statement of fact in her world.
The Broad worked with the artist’s studio to scout locations across the city. They didn't just pick the high-traffic tourist traps. They wanted these messages in neighborhoods where people live and work. It’s about ubiquity. When you see the same three words repeated across the skyline of a city as fractured as Los Angeles, it starts to feel like a shared secret. It creates a temporary community out of commuters.
Looking Beyond the Canvas
The exhibit inside the Broad is just as intense. You’ll find pieces like Cut Piece, where she invited the audience to cut away her clothing, and Wish Tree, where you can leave your own hopes on a branch. But the outdoor pieces are what bridge the gap between the art world and the real world.
Some critics say this kind of thing is "slacktivism." They’re wrong. In a world where every inch of our attention is being monetized by an algorithm, a billboard that asks for nothing but a moment of reflection is a radical act. It’s a refusal to participate in the typical cycle of consumption.
How to Experience the Ono Takeover
Don't just look for one billboard. The best way to do this is to treat the whole city like a scavenger hunt. The Broad hasn't released a perfect map of every single location—part of the point is the surprise—but you’ll find them concentrated in areas like West Hollywood, Downtown, and the Miracle Mile.
If you want the full experience, head to the Broad itself after you've spotted a few. The exhibit runs through the summer, and it’s a deep dive into how one person’s voice can echo for decades.
What You Should Know Before You Go
- Tickets: The Broad is free, but this specific exhibition requires a timed-entry ticket. Book ahead. They sell out fast.
- The Vibe: Expect it to be loud and quiet at the same time. Her films and music are a huge part of the show.
- Participation: A lot of Ono’s art requires you to do something. Don’t just stand there. If a piece asks you to write something or move something, do it. That’s the only way it works.
Los Angeles is a city built on illusions and fame. Yoko Ono has plenty of both, but she uses them to point back at the viewer. She’s not the star of the show; your reaction is. Whether you think it’s brilliant or pretentious, the fact that you’re thinking about it means she won.
Go find a billboard. Take a breath. It’s a lot cheaper than therapy and a lot more interesting than another movie poster. The Broad is giving us a chance to see the city through a different lens, and you’d be a fool to skip it. Check the Broad’s website for the latest on gallery hours and special performances tied to the exhibit. Pack some water, hit the 101, and keep your eyes up.
