Fluxus Movement

Fluxus takes on a do-it-yourself type role that used simplicity over complexity. Like Dada before it, Fluxus included anti-commercialism and an anti art sensibility, disparaging the conventional market-driven art world in favor of an artist-centered creative practice. Fluxus differed from Dada in its richer set of aspirations, and the positive social and communitarian aspirations. 

In terms of an artistic approach, Fluxus artists preferred to work with whatever materials were at hand, and either created their own work or collaborated in the creation process with their colleagues.  For example in the Film about Ray Johnson we see that some of his art pieces have a three dimensional element by using cut out blocks or wood pieces and applying them in with the painting.    

Fluxus uses media in its pieces.  Creators like to see what happens when different media intersect. They use found and everyday objects, sounds, images, and texts to create new combinations of objects, sounds, images, and texts.  This is an example of the tactile box that was used by Fluxus contributors where there is a box filled with games, cards and other ideas and whoever has the box can use it in him or her own way.  This leads to the different interpretations that each person will have when using the box. 

Fluxus works are simple. The art is small, the texts are short, and the performances are brief which leads to much more open interpretation from the viewer.  Some of the films we watched in class were short and just showed short clips or flashes of certain things on the screen.  When I was watching some of the clips I had to think about what I was watching because there doesn’t seem to be a direct theme to relate about what’s going on, or what is the point, if there even is a point?    


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluxus