4.2 Fluxus and performance art in public spaces

Fluxus and performance art revolutionized how artists engage with public spaces. These movements blurred the lines between art and everyday life, encouraging active participation and challenging traditional artistic conventions.

By bringing art into the streets, Fluxus and performance artists created unique dialogues with their surroundings. They used improvisation, chance, and site-specific elements to transform familiar environments and spark new perspectives on urban life.

Fluxus: Characteristics and Philosophies

Movement Origins and Core Principles

Top images from around the web for Movement Origins and Core Principles

• 

  improvisation workshop with Mark Sanders, Dominic Lash, Han-earl Park and Caroline Pugh (Cork ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  George Maciunas - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Fluxus Manifesto (1963) - George Maciunas (1931 - 1978) | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  improvisation workshop with Mark Sanders, Dominic Lash, Han-earl Park and Caroline Pugh (Cork ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  George Maciunas - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Movement Origins and Core Principles

• 

  improvisation workshop with Mark Sanders, Dominic Lash, Han-earl Park and Caroline Pugh (Cork ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  George Maciunas - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Fluxus Manifesto (1963) - George Maciunas (1931 - 1978) | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  improvisation workshop with Mark Sanders, Dominic Lash, Han-earl Park and Caroline Pugh (Cork ... View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  George Maciunas - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• Emerged in the 1960s as an international, interdisciplinary art movement
• Emphasized art-making process over finished product
• Rejected traditional artistic values
• Blurred boundaries between art and everyday life
• Incorporated elements of chance and improvisation
• Embraced DIY aesthetic using found objects and everyday materials
• Challenged notion of art as commodity
• Centered on concept of "intermedia" combining different artistic disciplines (visual art, music, poetry, performance)

Key Figures and Influences

• George Maciunas spearheaded the movement's organization and promotion
• Yoko Ono created conceptual and participatory artworks (Cut Piece)
• Nam June Paik pioneered video art and multimedia installations (TV Buddha)
• Joseph Beuys emphasized social sculpture and expanded concept of art
• Influenced by earlier avant-garde movements (Dada, Surrealism)
• Drew from John Cage's teachings on indeterminacy and chance operations in art

Fluxus Events and Audience Engagement

• Organized "happenings" as participatory events
• Broke down barrier between artist and audience
• Encouraged active engagement rather than passive observation
• Created unexpected interventions in everyday spaces (street performances, mail art)
• Utilized humor and absurdity to challenge artistic conventions (Fluxus boxes, event scores)

Performance Art in Public Spaces

Challenging Traditional Art Venues

• Brings artistic expression directly into everyday environments
• Creates unique dialogue between artist, audience, and surroundings
• Addresses social, political, or cultural issues specific to location
• Forces audiences to engage with work in real-time due to ephemeral nature
• Blurs line between performer and spectator
• Encourages active participation and co-creation of artistic experience

Social Impact and Intervention

• Serves as form of social intervention in public spaces
• Disrupts everyday routines and prompts reflection on societal norms
• Highlights overlooked aspects of public spaces
• Encourages new perspectives on familiar environments
• Extends impact beyond immediate audience through documentation and dissemination
• Contributes to broader discussions on art, society, and urban space

Site-Specific Considerations

• Requires thorough analysis of location's physical, historical, and cultural characteristics
• Integrates local narratives, myths, or histories to enhance relevance
• Considers flow of people, traffic patterns, and architectural features
• Employs psychogeographic mapping techniques (dérive, détournement)
• Uses found objects or materials from site to create direct material connection
• Involves collaborative approaches with local community members or other artists

Site-Specific Performances and Psychogeography

Environmental Analysis and Integration

• Analyzes chosen location's physical, historical, and cultural characteristics
• Considers sensory experiences of location (visual, auditory, tactile elements)
• Engages with environment holistically through performance design
• Incorporates local narratives, myths, or histories to enhance relevance
• Utilizes found objects or materials from site to create direct connection
• Employs psychogeographic mapping techniques (dérive, détournement)

Performance Design and Execution

• Considers flow of people, traffic patterns, and architectural features
• Designs performances to effectively interact with environment and audience
• Integrates unique performance elements inspired by hidden aspects of location
• Collaborates with local community members or other artists for diverse perspectives
• Adapts performance based on real-time interactions with space and audience
• Documents process and performance to extend impact beyond immediate event

Community Engagement and Impact

• Involves local community in development or execution of performance
• Addresses site-specific social, political, or cultural issues
• Encourages new perspectives on familiar environments
• Creates lasting impact on community's relationship with the space
• Generates dialogue about local issues or histories
• Potentially leads to ongoing artistic or community initiatives in the space

Fluxus vs Performance Art: Impact on Psychogeography

Expansion of Psychogeographic Practices

• Broadened concept beyond Situationist origins
• Incorporated diverse artistic approaches to exploring urban environments
• Encouraged spontaneous and intuitive methods of urban exploration
• Emphasized embodied approach focusing on sensory and emotional experiences
• Integrated various artistic disciplines into psychogeographic practices
• Developed collaborative and community-based approaches
• Created new ways of recording and sharing psychogeographic experiences (multimedia, networked approaches)

Artistic Techniques and Methodologies

• Fluxus' emphasis on chance and improvisation influenced spontaneous exploration
• Performance art's focus on body as medium contributed to embodied psychogeography
• Interdisciplinary nature encouraged integration of various artistic disciplines
• Participatory aspects influenced development of collaborative approaches
• Documentation practices contributed to new ways of recording experiences
• Critique of everyday life reinforced psychogeography's potential for social commentary

Legacy and Ongoing Influence

• Expanded toolkit for urban analysis and intervention
• Inspired new generations of artists to engage with urban space creatively
• Influenced development of new urban exploration methodologies (urban gaming, augmented reality walks)
• Contributed to growing field of urban studies and spatial theory
• Shaped contemporary public art practices and site-specific installations
• Informed development of digital psychogeography and locative media art