In the quiet expanse of Kollafjörður Bay, a column of light erupts from Viðey Island, just north of Reykjavík. This luminous monument, known as the Imagine Peace Tower (Icelandic: Friðarsúlan), is both a work of art and a lasting memorial to John Lennon, created by Yoko Ono to express a universal call for peace.
An artistic memorial with global connections
Unveiled in 2007 on what would have been Lennon’s 67th birthday, the Imagine Peace Tower consists of fifteen searchlights and a prism system, projecting a white pillar of light into the sky. The base is a white stone “wishing well” four metres in diameter, with the phrase “Imagine Peace” carved in twenty-four languages including Icelandic, English, German, Japanese and Hebrew. Beneath the structure, more than a million wishes collected by Ono over several years for her Wish Tree project remain buried, lending another layer to the theme of hope.
The light itself is powered by Iceland’s geothermal energy grid, using about 70–75 kW to operate. During clear nights, the beam can appear to shoot up over 4,000 metres and sometimes even penetrates cloud layers, with visual effects that change with atmospheric conditions and have been observed to scatter well above 100 kilometres. This combination of art, light, and technology connects the local environment with the idea of peace as a universal aspiration.
Dates of illumination and evolving legacy
Annually, the tower is illuminated from Lennon’s birthday, 9 October, until 8 December, the day he died. Other illuminations include New Year’s celebrations in Iceland, from 31 December to 6 January, and for a week around the spring equinox. Sometimes, the tower is lit at other times to mark global events, such as its activation in February 2022 in solidarity with Ukraine.
The monument’s construction was organised by Yoko Ono with support from Reykjavík City and Reykjavik Energy, which continues to cover operating costs. The unveiling ceremony brought together members of the former Beatles and their families, with the event broadcast around the world.
In 2024, technological upgrades introduced a new lighting system that made the beam brighter and steadier. This prompted some debate in Iceland about light pollution. While the enhancement was criticised in some quarters, supporters noted that the artwork’s message speaks to contemporary audiences and its luminous presence is part of its power.
Amidst Iceland’s many large-scale artworks, the Imagine Peace Tower stands out not only for its radiant appearance but as a meeting point between art, social activism, and Iceland’s approach to sustainable energy. It remains a living landmark on Viðey Island, echoing the ideals of its creators across the water and sky.
Sources
- Wikipedia
- Wikipedia (Icelandic) in Icelandic
