18 Dec 2008

Fluxus artist Henning Christiansen has passed away

Askeby, Denmark, December 18th. 2008

The Danish composer and Fluxus-artist Henning Christiansen has passed away.

Tuesday night (December 10th) Henning Christansen quietly passed away after a short suffering of apoplexy. He leaves behind his wife Ursula Reuter Christiansen, four children and grandchildren not to mention an overwhelming production of compositions and art works from the 60's until today.

Henning Christiansen was active as a composer from the 60's as well as an active member of the Fluxus-movement. He worked with artists such as Joseph Beuys and Nam June Paik as well as with his wife Ursula Reuter Christiansen.

His overall goal was to work collaboratively and to trespass conventional boundaries. He resented the idea of an isolated artistic genius and his entire production can be seen as a subsequent and vibrant example of praxis in a constant flux. This is visible from his engagement in Fluxus, over numerous collaborative performances to his position as a professor at the Art Academy in Hamburg.

Henning Christiansen remained active till the very last day. He presented a large retrospective exhibition last year in Copenhagen, last month he participated in the music festival Wundergrund, and is currently showing in Berlin at Gelbe Music and at the Nordic Embassies. A book on the lifework of Henning Christiansen is being made at this very moment and is due in the spring 2009.

Henning Christiansen resided almost 40 years on the Danish Island Møn. He was 76 year old at his passing and the funeral is Thursday, December 18th at 1 pm in Fanefjord Church.

For further information please contact Bjornstjerne Reuter Christiansen: +45 28 18 20 70 or bstar@superflex.net

Here you can listen to some of Henning's music:
http://www.ubu.com/sound/christiansen.html

Here you can see some images of his latest activities:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yorkwegerhoff/sets/72157601668766152/