Press Release from 871 Fine Arts: "Robert Filliou: Poet and Artist (1926 - 1987) 871 Fine Arts is pleased to present an exhibition of the French Fluxus artist, Robert Filliou. A charter member of Fluxus, Filliou was born in 1926. He emigrated to the United States in 1946 where he attended UCLA. After graduating with a masters degree in economics in 1951, he became an American citizen. The concept of play is at the core of Filliou's work. Ephemeral in nature, mired in word play, his pieces are almost always concerned with the problem of creativity itself and with new ways to foster it. He participated in many "street events" and happenings after he returned to Paris in 1959. Deeply affected by the social and political upheavals of the late 1960s, his artistic work followed the concepts of creative and intellectual play laid out by the intellectuals in the revolutionary environment of Paris in the 1960s and '70s. Indeed, the idea of play became a symbol of revolutionary protest. One of his more interesting pieces, "The Hand Show" clearly demonstrates Filliou's concerns. It is a series of photographs of artists' hands. It addresses the unlimited number of possibilities that lie within the hands of artists. for Filliou, these possibilities are endless and inherently valuable for society. Another piece on view in this exhibition is "The, A Novel Robert Filliou" 1976, a shallow cardboard box cut out in one corner to accommodate a smaller box, with the title scrawled on each. For Filliou, art was serious play and he dedicated his life to reconsidering what the world would be like if people were allowed to play, to dream and to create. This exhibition will be on view from April 6th to July 8th." 871 Fine Arts 49 Geary Street, Suite 513 San Francisco, CA 94108 Dealers in Art: 415/543-5155; Dealers in Art Books & Catalogues: 415/543-5812; Fax 415/398-9388 email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Note from Patricia: Please take note of the above numbers/emails. Adrienne Fish at 871 Fine Arts is an excellent source for new and used art books and catalogues and has a very good Fluxus selection of books, posters, art. Her exhibits are always fascinating and out of the ordinary. Best, PK
