White Cube Mason's Yard, London

The significant English contribution to the burgeoning contemporary art scene owes much to Jay Joplin's influential gallery, the White Cube, which has been on the move in London since 1993. Its current location, an impressive modern concrete structure, became the first standalone building to grace the area in three decades when it opened its doors in 2006. It serves as the headquarters for a roster of British artists who have garnered the prestigious Turner Prize, including luminaries like Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin, and Antony Gormley. The expansive and immaculate interior spaces, characterized by polished concrete surfaces and pristine white walls, offer ample room for grand and ambitious art installations.

Historically, this spot was occupied by the Indica Gallery, renowned for its star-studded events and support for the alternative arts scene. Interestingly, it was here in November 1966 that John Lennon would encounter Yoko Ono at an exhibition of her conceptual artwork. He was a globally renowned pop star, while she was an avant-garde artist. At the time, Ono only recognized one Beatle by name, Ringo, because it happened to be Japanese for "apple". Curiously, an apple was available for purchase at Yoko's exhibition for the princely sum of £200, and John immediately appreciated the humor in her work, despite not possessing an extensive knowledge of avant-garde or underground art.

One of Ono's conceptual pieces invited attendees to hammer a nail, but she stipulated that John could only do so if he paid five shillings. His response was, "Well, I'll offer you an imaginary five shillings and proceed to hammer an imaginary nail". John regarded this moment as the true beginning of his connection with Yoko, and it had a profound and lasting impact on both of their lives.

In 1971, they embarked on the creation of "Imagine", Lennon's most renowned solo album, a title inspired in part by Ono's book, "Grapefruit."