GATESHEAD.- Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art announces an artist talk by Yoko Ono, one of the pioneers of conceptual art, on Sunday 14 December 2008.

This is a unique opportunity to hear Yoko Ono in person talk about her extensive career spanning more than 50 years. The event promises to be an enthralling and entertaining insight into her prodigious career - with a particular look at the exhibition YOKO ONO BETWEEN THE SKY AND MY HEAD opening at Baltic on Sunday 14 December.

The exhibition, one of the largest exhibitions of Yoko Ono’s work to date will occupy two floors of Baltic with additional works such as ONOCHORD, Film No. 5 (Smile) and Wish Trees located outside the gallery. Inside Baltic, the exhibition will cover more than 1400m² of gallery space containing sculpture, paintings, drawing, photography, films and sound installations, as well as participation works.

The outdoor artworks form part of the 2008 NewcastleGateshead Winter Festival and are located in prominent locations around NewcastleGateshead. ONOCHORD, a work where Ono uses light to form a code spelling out “I Love You” or “•, ••, •••” will be presented as a large projection of light from the Castle Keep, Newcastle for a limited number weeks from Sunday 14 December.

Directly after the talk at 6.00pm the audience will be invited to join with Yoko Ono in a special one off participatory event incorporating ONOCHORD in Baltic Square. Participants will be invited to send and receive “I Love You” messages with small flashlights to and from the Castle Keep, Newcastle