Thanks! This was great!
jay On Sunday, January 27, 2002, at 03:19 PM, allen bukoff wrote: > >> Date: Sun, 27 Jan 2002 21:08:50 +0100 >> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> From: Ken Friedman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> Subject: 52 events Ken Friedman [Book review from Scotland on Sunday] >> >> >> 52 events >> Ken Friedman >> >> REVIEW BY sb kelly >> Show and Tell Editions, �25 >> >> Scotland on Sunday >> January 27, 2002 >> >> lllll >> >> THIS book was initially due to appear in Spring 1967, designed by >> George >> Maciunas, founder of the Fluxus art movement. Maciunas's untimely death >> meant the project was effectively mothballed, although it toured as a >> series of exhibitions during the 1970s. It is therefore a pleasure to >> possess, 35 years after its conception, Ken Friedman's 52 Events. The >> book >> at last exists, and in three formats: as a desk diary, beautifully >> designed >> by Paul Robertson; as a free internet version >> (http://www.heartfineart.com/Images/Friedman.html); >> and as a �195 deluxe edition in a hand-crafted box, painted by the >> artist >> and containing various artefacts required to stage the Events. >> >> Fluxus, whose membership famously included Yoko Ono, can be seen in >> retrospect as one of the key postwar art movements; a continuation of >> Surrealism and Dadaism, and the launching pad for Conceptual, >> Installation >> and Anarcho-dandyist Art. Indeed, Turner Prize-winner Martin Creed's >> work >> is barely conceivable outside of the Fluxus perspective; and Tate >> Modern >> are currently showing an exhibition of Friedman's work. The pieces of >> the >> Fluxus Group were minimal, provocative and witty - famously described >> as >> "Zen Vaudeville" - and were preserved as 'scores' that could be >> re-enacted >> by others. Most importantly, Fluxus spanned Europe, America and Asia; >> drawing on traditions as diverse as Norse Sagas and Japanese Noh-plays. >> That very internationalism goes some way towards explaining the >> endurance >> of this genre of avant-garde art. >> >> Perhaps the best way to illustrate Fluxus is in their own words, with >> two >> of Friedman's Events. "Flow System: Anyone may send an object or a >> work of >> any kind to the exhibition. Everything received is displayed. Any >> visitor >> to the exhibition may take away an object or work." "Deck: Collect >> playing >> cards found in the street until a complete deck of found cards is >> assembled." >> >> Fluxus was, as these examples show, a two-pronged attack; a debunking >> of >> the spaces where art is displayed, and a celebration of the >> possibilities >> of normal locations. If you could put urinals into galleries, >> conversely >> you could find art in the street. Whereas the Situationists, almost >> exact >> contemporaries, were railing against everyday life, Fluxus wanted to >> turn >> the everyday into an ongoing art-work. Of course, one might level the >> accusation that it's all rather self-indulgent. Nonetheless, I tried >> one of >> the events (sending a postcard a day to a friend, with just one letter >> on >> it, until it spelt a phrase; then receiving a reply in like fashion) >> and >> the effect was weirdly charming. There is a certain innocence in the >> sense >> of participation. Actually following the suggestions each week may be >> impractical, but I would strongly advise any reader to try one or two. >> >> Although with some of the other Fluxus artists, such as Ay-O or Ben >> Vautier, the mischief teeters over into cruelty - audiences locked in >> theatres - the overwhelming feel of Friedman's 52 Events is a gentle >> melancholy. The notes offer not only some valuable insights into the >> history of the movement, but a delightful sketch of his genuine >> bewilderment about the separation of 'art' and 'life', musings on >> publishing, and personal explication of the meaning of the works. >> Robertson's typography for the diary is beguiling; a non-linear ebb and >> flow of days, rather than the strict and regimentalised schedule. >> >> My only regret about the book is that it doesn't include one of my >> favourite Events from the previous "30 Events" exhibition: "Explain >> Fluxus >> in five minutes or less, using a few simple props." Shoes, ice-cubes >> and >> telephones would be my choice. I look forward to the diary for 2003. >> >> -- >> >> Heart Fine Art Web site >> >> http://www.heartfineart.com/ >> >> -- >> >> Scotland on Sunday Web site >> >> http://news.scotsman.com/ >> >> > > _____________________________ http://www.thejaymarvinshow.com http://www.marvinantiart.com
