FLUXLIST: Kicking people out

[Jennifer Sheldon]

Dear Mr. Bukoff,

I lurk more than I participate here, so I am not sure that I have the right to speak. Even so, I want to ask for reconsideration on your decision to remove Eric Andersen and St. Auby Tamas. I don't like them much, and my research into Mr. Andersen's claims suggests that his statements to me were dishonest, but that is no reason to expel either of them.

I tend to write directly to people and I have had nice exchanges with other list members and with some Fluxus artists and scholars who do not take part in Fluxlist. My department and advisors think Fluxus is either 1) too recent, 2) too silly, or 3) too unsuitable to an art history doctorate. I will probably not do my doctoral work on Fluxus. Instead, I will probably work on Alfred Jarry or possibly on early Dada. Even so, I hope to follow Fluxus in the future. (For those who wonder who I am and where I study, I want to say what I have explained in private correspondence. I had a very bad experience with email identity theft a few years back. Someone I thought I could trust created a very bad situation for me, and I am still troubled by the effects. Because of this, I participate in lists through a pseudonym. I give out no personal details to people I have not met in person. Since I make no personal requests, I hope that people will respect my wish for privacy.)

I enjoy the discussions here. I'd like to see some historical reflections as well. The vast majority of what I read is artists talking about their own work. This interests me. I'd also like to see some of the historical discussions that were among the reasons that were listed as reasons leading you, Dick Higgins, Ken Friedman and the others to start the list in the first place.

Anyhow, I hope I'm not being too pushy in asking you to reconsider. Like and dislike has nothing to do with it. From what I have seen, your opinions on Mr. Andersen and Mr. Tamas are reasonable. I simply think that kicking them off is harsh.

Thank you for keeping this list active for those who want to participate ... and thanks for trying to build a constructive atmosphere. I understand why you acted as you did. My only thought here is to ask whether it will serve the goals you hope to achieve.

Sincerely,

Jenny Sheldon

p.s. Is it possible to arrange a working archive?



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