Yoko Ono - one of the biggest star names creating work for Manchester International Festival - will not be attending her opening show tonight.
The internationally-acclaimed artist is 'not able to travel' to the city for MIF's opening ceremony, Bells for Peace.
The 86-year-old, who lives in New York, has instead recorded a film to be screened at the free event, which takes place in Cathedral Gardens from 6pm.
A MIF spokesman said: "Yoko has created Bells for Peace as an instructional, mass participatory artwork for MIF19.
"She is not able to travel to Manchester to be here in person, but will be conducting the bell ringing on screen via a specially recorded film."
Ono's face has appeared on billboards, posters and adverts promoting the event, which will see communities from across Manchester gather to ring bells together.
Inviting the public to take part last month, she said: "The bell is a beautiful sound, a peaceful sound and that’s why it’s desperately needed now. More than ever we must come together to heal each other, and the world.
"The beauty of this piece will break the sky and more. Ring for peace! PEACE is POWER. I love you all."
The first few thousand people to arrive will be given hand-engraved bells, created in pre-festival workshops.
Participants are also being encouraged to bring their own bells - from bicycle bells to phone apps - to chime in with the 'people's orchestra'.
MIF opens today and runs until Sunday July 21 with other highlights including a performance by Janelle Monáe at Castlefield Bowl; an exhibition dedicated to cult filmmaker David Lynch at HOME; and the Nico Project, starring Maxine Peake as the Velvet Underground icon.
