Thing/Thought: Fluxus Editions, 1962-1978

September 21, 2011–January 16, 2012

  • Introduction
  • Selected Works
    • Fluxus 1
    • Fluxkit
    • Flux Year Box 2
  • Exhibition Views
  • Other Resources
    • Exhibition Checklist
    • Blog
    • Video
  • Credits
MoMA

First announced during June 1964 in the fourth Fluxus newspaper, Fluxus cc fiVe ThReE, the Fluxkit encapsulates a collection of multiples and printed items by artists orbiting Maciunas and those who had contributed to festivals and events organized by the group since 1962. The retrofitted attaché case, initially advertised for the price of $100, was among the most elaborate of the Fluxus Editions produced, packed with small objects to be held in the hand, read and manipulated. The contents vary between each kit; however generally, Fluxus newspapers and announcements sit strapped inside the lid and the central compartment houses a built-in noisemaker by Joe Jones; Mieko Shiomi’s Endless Box, comprised of nested paper cubes; Ay-O’s Finger Box, harboring a tactile surprise inside; Alison Knowles’s study of the legume, titled Bean Rolls; and approximately a dozen additional works—several of them performance score cards—kept in latched plastic cases. Eager to distribute this anthology, Maciunas mailed an example to artist Willem de Ridder in Amsterdam during the summer of 1964, and it was offered among the inventory of the European Mail-Order Warehouse/Fluxshop De Ridder founded. (A photograph of this inventory can be seen on the introductory page of this website.) Fluxkits also appeared at performance venues, such as New York’s Carnegie Recital Hall, displayed with other Fluxus Editions for the audience to handle and purchase.

Selected components can be viewed in this slideshow.

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Fluxkit
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Fluxkit. 1965, Fluxus Edition announced 1964

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Finger Box from Fluxkit
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Ay-O. Finger Box from Fluxkit. 1965, Fluxus Edition announced 1964

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Games and Puzzles (Ball, Swim and Inclined Plane Puzzles) from Fluxkit
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George Brecht. Games and Puzzles (Ball, Swim and Inclined Plane Puzzles) from Fluxkit.
1965, Fluxus Edition announced 1964–65

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Games and Puzzles (Name Kit) from Fluxkit
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George Brecht. Games and Puzzles (Name Kit) from Fluxkit. 1965, Fluxus Edition announced 1965

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Bean Rolls from Fluxkit
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Alison Knowles. Bean Rolls from Fluxkit. 1965, Fluxus Edition announced 1963

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Zen for Film from Fluxkit
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Nam June Paik. Zen for Film from Fluxkit. 1965, Fluxus Edition announced 1964

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Instruction No. 2 from Fluxkit
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Benjamin Patterson. Instruction No. 2 from Fluxkit. 1965, Fluxus Edition announced 1964

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Endless Box from Fluxkit
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Mieko Shiomi. Endless Box from Fluxkit. 1965, Fluxus Edition announced 1963

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Water Music from Fluxkit
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Mieko Shiomi. Water Music from Fluxkit. 1965, Fluxus Edition announced 1964

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Printed Matter from Fluxkit
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Robert Watts. Printed Matter from Fluxkit. 1965

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Fluxus ccV TRE Fluxus, Fluxus newspaper no. 2, from Fluxkit
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Fluxus ccV TRE Fluxus, Fluxus newspaper no. 2, from Fluxkit. 1964

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Fluxus cc Valise e TRanglE, Fluxus newspaper no.3, from Fluxkit
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Fluxus cc Valise e TRanglE, Fluxus newspaper no.3, from Fluxkit. 1964

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