Fluxus is a term that originated in the 1960s to describe an international collective of artists who worked across various media. The word is spelled f-l-u-x-u-s, with the stress on the second syllable. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is written as /ˈfluːksəs/. The "x" in the word represents the "ks" sound, while the final "s" is pronounced as a regular "s" sound. This word has come to represent a movement that celebrates experimentation, collaboration, and anti-art ethos.
Fluxus is an avant-garde artistic movement that emerged in the 1960s, characterized by its interdisciplinary and experimental nature. The term "fluxus" derives from the Latin word for "flux," which means flow or change. It sought to challenge traditional art forms and conventions, embracing a wide range of artistic practices including music, visual art, performance art, literature, and even everyday actions. Fluxus artists aimed to dissolve the boundaries between art and life, rejecting the idea of art as a separate entity.
Central to the fluxus movement was the concept of "intermedia," where different art forms and media were combined to create new modes of expression. Fluxus artists often used humor, wit, and irony in their works, employing absurd or mundane gestures to provoke thought and engage the viewer. Their art was often anti-establishment, politically charged, and critical of consumerism and societal norms.
Fluxus artworks were often created as events, happenings, or performances, emphasizing the importance of the process rather than the final product. They rejected the notion of art as a commodity, emphasizing the democratization of art and encouraging audience participation. Fluxus artists embraced simplicity, often employing found objects or everyday materials in their works.
Today, fluxus remains influential in contemporary art practices, challenging artistic conventions, and promoting experimentation and collaboration.
The word "fluxus" has a Latin origin. It comes from the Latin verb "fluere", which means "to flow". In Latin, the noun form "fluxus" means "flow" or "flux". The term "fluxus" was adopted and popularized in the mid-20th century as the name of an avant-garde art movement, particularly associated with the Fluxus group founded by George Maciunas in the early 1960s. The word was chosen to reflect the movement's emphasis on the fluidity, interdisciplinarity, and experimental nature of art.