About FLUXUS
The term ‘FLUXUS’ appeared for the first time in an invitation for three lecture-demonstrations (Musica Antiqua et Nova) by George Maciunas at the AG Gallery (NY), in 1961.
From March through June 1961 Maciunas organised a series of performances there, which was, together with the performances at Yoko Ono’s Chambers Street studio, organised by La Monte Young from December 1960 very important to the origin of Fluxus.
Several of the participants in the performances had studied with John Cage at the New School for Social Research. Others were from the West Coast, while people such as Yoko Ono and Toshi Ichiyanagi came from Japan.
Many of them contributed pieces to An Anthology, edited by La Monte Young, designed by Maciunas, and published in 1963.
In September 1962 the first ‘official’ Fluxus Festival took place in Wiesbaden.
Back in New York (1963) Maciunas wrote his famous manifesto, in which the different meanings of the word ‘Flux’ (derived from the Latin word Fluxus) were applied to art, with the goal to integrate art and life.
Since 1964 various manifestations were organised. Meanwile the publishing and multiple-producing of Fluxus (developed into an organisation with Maciunas as chairman) became more and more important.
Although the most important Fluxus activities took place in the first half of the 1960s, the movement was active until Maciunas’ death in 1978.
