I concur. Beautiful review. It's funny how the authors attempt to explain
the book seems to explain Fluxus as well (maybe I have the wrong idea; I've
always thought of Fluxus as an attempt to show all of life as art).
To that extent, I suppose the best Fluxus event I could come up with (stop
me if it's been done) would be:
Be conceived.
Too bad we can only do it once...
-D
At 03:46 PM 1/27/2002 -0600, you wrote:
>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
