Airplane songbook

Definition

The airplane songbook is a collection of instructional and experimental scores created by the Fluxus movement, designed for performance by anyone, regardless of their musical background. These songbooks reflect Fluxus's embrace of accessibility, spontaneity, and the blurring of boundaries between art and everyday life. They often include simple notations, instructions for actions, and are intended to provoke thought and participation in an interactive manner.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The airplane songbook is often associated with the spirit of collaboration and community found in Fluxus performances, where participants were encouraged to engage with the material creatively.
2. These songbooks exemplify the Fluxus ideology that art should be accessible to everyone and not confined to galleries or concert halls.
3. The scores in the airplane songbook can range from simple actions to complex instructions, allowing for a variety of interpretations during performances.
4. One famous piece included in the songbook might ask performers to enact absurd actions or create sounds using everyday objects, highlighting the playful nature of Fluxus.
5. The airplane songbook is part of a larger tradition within Fluxus that seeks to democratize art-making and challenge conventional notions of authorship and expertise.

Review Questions

• How does the airplane songbook embody the principles of accessibility and spontaneity in the Fluxus movement?
  • The airplane songbook embodies accessibility by providing simple instructions that allow anyone to participate in creating art, regardless of their musical skills or experience. This reflects Fluxus's belief that art should be a communal activity, inviting spontaneity as performers interpret the scores in their unique ways. The interaction between participants and the fluid nature of these performances highlight how Fluxus challenges traditional barriers in the art world.
• Discuss the significance of scores in Fluxus art, particularly in relation to the airplane songbook.
  • Scores in Fluxus art are crucial because they redefine how performances are conceived. In the context of the airplane songbook, scores are not just about music but include a wide range of activities that encourage creativity. This approach shifts focus from polished performances to participatory experiences where every action contributes to the overall meaning. The airplane songbook serves as a prime example of how these scores can engage audiences actively rather than passively.
• Evaluate how the airplane songbook reflects broader cultural shifts in postwar society regarding art and audience engagement.
  • The airplane songbook reflects broader cultural shifts in postwar society by promoting ideas of democratization and participation in art-making. In a time when traditional artistic hierarchies were being questioned, the airplane songbook challenged notions that only trained professionals could create meaningful art. This reflects a shift toward valuing everyday experiences and interactions as valid forms of artistic expression, aligning with societal movements seeking inclusivity and community involvement across various spheres.

Related terms

Fluxus: An international avant-garde movement that emerged in the 1960s, known for its experimental and interdisciplinary approach to art, merging various forms such as visual art, music, and performance.

Score: In the context of Fluxus and performance art, a score refers to a set of instructions or guidelines for a performance, rather than traditional musical notation.

Intermedia: A term used to describe art that crosses traditional boundaries between media, often combining elements of different forms like music, visual art, theater, and literature.