Rare Vintage Photos Of John And Yoko Capture Their Final Times Together

Rare Vintage Photos Depict John And Yoko's Eternal Love

In September of 1980, Japanese photographer Kishin Shinoyama spent two days in New York with John Lennon and Yoko Ono, as the lovers and creative partners collaborated on the album "Double Fantasy." Over the course of those two days, Shinoyama captured approximately 800 photographs, capturing what, according to the artist, was "a moment of unclouded happiness for John and Yoko."

Just months later, on December 8, Lennon was assassinated at just 40 years old. "Double Fantasy" was his last studio recording.

kiss

Over 30 years later, Shinoyama and Ono are releasing a book of photo essays, also titled "Double Fantasy" and published by Taschen. The book, released in a limited edition of 1,980 copies -- a subtle ode to 1980 -- features many photographs never before shown publicly. One depicts the lovers behind the scenes, collaborating in the studio while donning matching sunglasses, while another captures a tender kiss between the dreamy duo as they wander Central Park. For the love-struck pair, daily life seemed like something out of a dream.

Releasing the book now was Yoko's idea. "There were many pictures that Yoko had never seen for over 30 years," Shinoyama explained to T Magazine. "She said to me, 'Thank you for taking images of my happiest time. How about making a photo book with these pictures?'"

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The images, chronicling one of the most iconic and heartbreaking love stories of our time, capture the many moments, both mundane and miraculous, that formulate a life in love. It's nearly impossible not to recognize the sinister aspect of these wildly romantic photos though, depicting a love that would soon come to an end. And yet the power of photography, in at least some way, ensures the inspiring love between John and Yoko will endure.

"Every moment ends instantly. It becomes past, you know. Photography is one of the tools that you can use to record each moment. I think these photos were taken at the time of their supreme happiness. As I see it now, I still think that John’s and Yoko’s pure love continues on."

Shinoyama's words are reminiscent of a statement Lennon himself made to Howard Smith in the early 1970s, discussing his marriage with Ono. "It’s called love. And there’s nothing that splits that up, you know."

yok

"Double Fantasy" is available from Taschen books. See a preview of the images below.

Before You Go

Yoko Ono with Standing Woman (1932) by Gaston Lachaise, The Museum of Modern Art Sculpture Garden, New York. c. 1960–61.Photograph by Minoru Niizuma. © Minoru Niizuma.Courtesy Lenono Photo Archive, New York
Painting to Be Stepped On. 1960/1961.Installation view, Paintings & Drawings by Yoko Ono, AG Gallery, New York, July 17–30, 1961.Photograph by George Maciunas.The Museum of Modern Art, New York. The Gilbert and Lila Silverman Fluxus Collection Gift, 2008.© 2014 George Maciunas
Works by Yoko Ono, poster, Carnegie Recital Hall, New York, November 24, 1961.Photograph by George Maciunas.The Museum of Modern Art, New York. The Gilbert and Lila Silverman Fluxus Collection Gift, 2008.© 2014 George Maciunas
Yoko Ono (Japanese, born 1933)Touch Poem #5. c. 1960.Hair, ink on paper, 9 7/8 × 13 7/16″ (25 x 34.1 cm).Private collection. © Yoko Ono 2014
Cut Piece (1964) performed by Yoko Ono in New Works of Yoko Ono, Carnegie Recital Hall, New York, March 21, 1965.Photograph by Minoru Niizuma.© Minoru Niizuma. Courtesy Lenono Photo Archive, New York
Yoko Ono (Japanese, born 1933)Apple. 1966.Plexiglas pedestal, brass plaque, apple, 45 × 6 11/16 × 6 15/16″ (114.3 × 17 × 17.6 cm).Private collection.© Yoko Ono 2014
Yoko Ono and John Lennon.WAR IS OVER! if you want it. 1969.Offset, 29 15/16 x 20” (76 x 50.8 cm).The Museum of Modern Art, New York. The Gilbert and Lila Silverman Fluxus Collection Gift, 2008.© Yoko Ono 2014
Yoko Ono (Japanese, born 1933)Museum of Modern [F]art. 1971.Exhibition catalogue, offset, 11 13/16 x 11 13/16 x 3/8″ (30 x 30 x 1 cm).The Museum of Modern Art Library, New York.© Yoko Ono 2014

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