Grapefruit (book)

Grapefruit is a 1964 conceptual art book by Yoko Ono. It is considered an early example of Conceptual art and performance art, consisting of a series of "instructional poems" or event scores. These scores, often presented in short, poetic phrases, invite the reader to imagine, enact, or observe simple, often mundane, actions and situations in a new light.

The instructions in Grapefruit are organized into five sections: Music, Painting, Event, Poetry, and Object. Ono's instructions range from the whimsical and absurd to the thought-provoking and potentially transformative. Examples include instructions like "Listen to the sound of the earth turning," "Paint until you drop dead," and "Hide until everybody goes home. Hide until everybody forgets about you. Hide until everybody dies."

The book's influence extends beyond the art world, impacting music, literature, and performance. Its emphasis on imagination, participation, and re-contextualizing the everyday has resonated with audiences for decades. Grapefruit has been published in numerous editions and languages, cementing its place as a significant work in 20th-century art.