Fluxus

Definition

Fluxus is an international network of artists and composers that emerged in the 1960s, known for its experimental and interdisciplinary approach to art, music, and performance. It challenged traditional boundaries by incorporating everyday actions, chance operations, and audience participation into artistic practice. This movement has been significant in shaping the curatorial practices related to performance, installation, and time-based media.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Fluxus originated in the early 1960s and was heavily influenced by Dadaism and Eastern philosophies, promoting the idea of art as a process rather than a finished product.
2. The Fluxus community included notable figures such as George Maciunas, Yoko Ono, and Nam June Paik, who were instrumental in organizing events and disseminating Fluxus ideas.
3. Fluxus artists often used 'scores,' which are instructions for performances that could be interpreted in various ways, emphasizing the role of chance and spontaneity.
4. The movement sought to democratize art by making it accessible to a broader audience, breaking away from elitist notions of artistic production.
5. Fluxus has had a lasting impact on contemporary art practices, influencing fields such as performance art, installation art, and multimedia art.

Review Questions

• How did Fluxus challenge traditional notions of art and performance during its emergence in the 1960s?
  • Fluxus challenged traditional notions of art by emphasizing process over product and integrating everyday actions into artistic practice. This movement encouraged audience participation and blurred the lines between different artistic disciplines, creating a more inclusive approach to creativity. Through spontaneous performances and Happenings, Fluxus artists redefined what could be considered art, moving away from conventional gallery spaces.
• Discuss the role of 'scores' in Fluxus performances and how they contribute to the concept of interactivity within the movement.
  • In Fluxus performances, 'scores' serve as guidelines or instructions for executing a piece, allowing performers the freedom to interpret them in various ways. This element of open interpretation promotes interactivity since audiences can engage with the performance differently based on their understanding or approach to the score. By prioritizing process over strict adherence to a script, Fluxus embodies the movement's core principles of chance and collaboration.
• Evaluate the lasting influence of Fluxus on contemporary curatorial practices in performance and installation art.
  • The influence of Fluxus on contemporary curatorial practices is profound, as it has shaped how curators approach performance and installation art today. The Fluxus ethos encourages curators to consider audience engagement as central to the experience of an artwork. This has led to a shift towards more participatory installations and dynamic performances that invite viewers to become active participants rather than passive observers. The integration of various media forms also reflects Fluxus's legacy in contemporary practices.

Related terms

Happenings: Spontaneous and event-based performances that emphasize audience engagement and often blur the line between art and life.

Intermedia: Artworks that combine multiple media or forms, often seen in Fluxus practices, which integrate visual arts, music, theater, and literature.

Conceptual Art: An art movement where the idea or concept behind the artwork takes precedence over traditional aesthetic and material concerns.