Sara Alamdari
Annie Liebovitz “John Lennon and Yoko Ono”
1980, chromogenic print
I’ve noticed that I hold my breath when I take a photo and release a sigh when I look at the image. The moment I saw Annie Liebovitz’s photograph of John Lennon and Yoko Ono I didn’t want to hold my breath or release it, I just stayed in a mutual phase of content. I was in awe. This photo speaks to me in numerous ways. John Lennon is completely vulnerable as he is naked and kissing Yoko Ono who seems at ease in her clothing; it’s like John needs Yoko to be complete and he is nothing without out her. It reminds me of how many of us feel in relationships, like we are helpless without the other person. This was also the last photograph of John Lennon and Yoko Ono before he was murdered, which makes this image much more meaningful as it was their final moments together. Annie Liebovitz captured their deep love in one of the most powerful photos I have ever seen, and her ability to create such intimate photographs truly inspires me.
