Somo Helps Yoko Realise 50 Year Vision

Somo  the largest independent global mobile marketing company, today announces the launch of Yoko Ono’s #smilesfilm app. Developed by Somo in partnership with REVL8 Perfect Day, the app supports Yoko’s large-scale participatory artwork that encourages us all to contribute to her global anthology of portraits.
The smilesfilm idea was originally conceived in 1967 as a way of connecting people across the world. Yoko wrote: “My ultimate goal in film-making is to make a film which includes a smiling face snap of every single human being in the world”. Yoko’s husband, John Lennon told Rolling Stone in 1968: “The idea of the film won’t really be dug for another fifty or a hundred years.” Through the app, after just 45 years, their vision is being realised.
Users can upload images to Instagram or Twitter accompanied by the hashtag #smilesfilm by clicking ‘Smile’ in the iOS app. The app’s ‘Dream’ function uses geo-positional tags so pins appear on a white world map (based on Yoko’s Add Colour Painting) showing where others are taking their smiley snaps. All of the photos, which can be taken and tweeted online as well, will be added to the film. A ‘Watch’ option allows users to view the film in-app. Following successful exhibitions in Tokyo, Berlin and New Delhi, #smilesfilm is being exhibited this summer at the Serpentine Gallery in London with Yoko Ono’s show ‘To the Light’, which is part of the London 2012 Festival. The app will be officially launched at the opening night on Tuesday 19th June.
Nick Hynes, CEO at Somo, said: “This is a delightful example of how tech can bring people together, for non-commercial gain, and how mobile really is making the world smaller. At last, technology has finally caught up with Yoko’s vision.”
Yoko Ono, who has worked as an artist, writer and musician for the last five decades, said: “Smiles transform moods and opinions, and with the power of mass participation, can change the world for the better. This project is something that I have always wanted to do and now, using the latest technology, we’re finally doing it. Think PEACE, Act PEACE, Spread PEACE and Imagine PEACE. I love you!”