My answer to the question of "How does Fluxus differ from
Dada, " is obvious to me but not so obvious to others. Dada was 1916,
Fluxus was 1961. What had happened between those times? That is the
answer. Where was Dada formed? Where was Fluxus formed?
That is the answer. Ken's 12 Characteristics of Fluxus or my 50
Characteristics of Fluxus also help to answer the question. I made up my
list by observing Fluxus artists in action, looking at Fluxus works,
by working with Dick Higgins and Allison Knowles and then by having my
list
checked by Ken. I think his list is shorter and more authoritative.
Fluxus came out of the teachings of Cage. Dada came out of a time of
great
nihilism and reaction against the first great world war. These matters
are too complex
for a short,definitive answer. Cage studied with D.T. Suzuki. Oriental
philosophy and wisdom
infuses Fluxus. Music infuses Fluxus. Notation, scores, humor, etc.
These
characteristics are not prevalent in Dada.(although some may disagree)
I was interested to have it pointed out that a Futurist first admired
raw noise
as music. One of my favorite artists was and is Boccioni. I also greatly
admire the Futurist Manifesto. These sources also helped influence
Fluxus.
-Don Boyd, Fluxus West
