George Maciunas. One Year. 1973–74. Various empty containers and packaging. Above: Alison Knowles. Selections from The Identical Lunch. 1969. Screenprints on canvas. Installation view of both works at MoMA. The Museum of Modern Art. The Gilbert and Lila Silverman Fluxus Collection. Photo: Jason Mandella

This week MoMA launches Instruction Lab in the mezzanine of the Lewis B. and Dorothy Cullman Education and Research Building, inspired by the Fluxus works included in the current Contemporary Art from the Collection exhibition. Last fall MoMA visitors may have been greeted with loud screams reverberating throughout the Museum’s Marron Atrium. You were likely hearing Yoko Ono’s Voice Piece for Soprano being performed by visitors. Voice Piece for Soprano is a great example of what is called Fluxus art—directional, text-based works that are meant to be performed by artists, viewers, or anyone else. Fluxus work is all about engaging the viewer and finding something interesting in our everyday actions. Yoko Ono’s piece directed participants to scream in three different ways. A simple microphone and wall label was installed in the atrium to allow visitors to perform this work for everyone in the Museum.

Instruction Lab is an experimental space that allows visitors to explore Fluxus works through participation and action. The lab installation will include artist scores, materials, and resources for recording these experiences. Each day, from noon to 4:00 p.m., Instruction Lab will be open and free to the public with a facilitator on hand to guide you through various Fluxus works. You can follow Ben Vautier’s score and “Pick up anything at your feet” or get a little more ambitious and create a musical piece with paper—crumple, crush, and tear—to create your own symphony. And for those who really want to leave their own mark, add to our Flux Kit with your own original score.

Courtsey of Ben Vautier

To kick off this exciting project, MoMA is excited to have internationally renowned Fluxus artist Ben Vautier perform a Fluxus concert, performing a series of works by other Fluxus artists, on Friday, January 28, at 6:00 p.m. Get ready for a unique experience—tubas, pianos, paint, and nails are only a few of the materials Vautier will be using in this special performance! The artist is known for his hand-written instructional works, like the one you see here.

Celebrate all that is Fluxus with MoMA this winter at Instruction Lab!