17 Sep 2012

FLUXUS in Wiesbaden 1962-2012

2012's last quarter has begun thus has the golden anniversary of Fluxus in Wiesbaden.

Until September 23, 2012 the retrospective 'Benjamin Patterson: Born in the State of FLUX/us' will show a comprehensive overview of Ben Patterson's (*1934, Pittsburgh, US) works spanning more than 50 years connecting music, composition, performance, objects, found footage and humour with autobiographical and sociopolitical issues. The Nassauischer Kunstverein Wiesbaden is the only European venue of the artist's retrospective. Ben Patterson has lived in Wiesbaden for several years.

To connect the retrospective with actionistic interventions, the Nassauische Kunstverein presents Super Tuesday, a flexible platform for performances, exhibitions or lectures and curated by Ben Patterson, in his 'Spielraum' (Playroom). On the last Super Tuesday in Ben's 'Spielraum' on September 25, 2012, 6:47 pm Ben Patterson invites witch and performer Sam Ashley who will bless the next 50 years of Fluxus.

Parallel to Patterson's retrospective the show of Follow Fluxus Stipend Stefan Burger (*1977, Müllheim/Baden) opened its doors on September 1. Since 2008 the Nassauische Kunstverein and the State Capital of Wiesbaden annually support young international artists whose work reflects ideas inherent to the Fluxus art movement in order to keep the art current alive. The Wiesbaden Fluxus anniversary and its conveyance became the basis of the three month work period and the subsequent exhibition 'FLU-FLU-FLU-….' by Stefan Burger. He compressed mantra-like repetitions of iconic motifs distributed in the city, in a concentrated and claustrophobic exhibition and focuses on the question: 'What should we do with the boiled down concentrate?' Burger's exhibition is on display at the Kunstverein until May 26, 2013.

For those who want Fluxus for home, the high-quality edition 'Who places bets on the 47?' is an outstanding compilation of high quality art works. The edition compiles works by Maria Eichhorn, Mona Hatoum, Romuald Hazoumé, Dan Perjovschi, SUPERFLEX, Nevin Aladağ and Driton Hajredini. All artists have been awarded with the George-Maciunas-Prize or its advancement award. The prize, endowed by the Fluxus-collectors Ute and Michael Berger and juried by René Block, exists since 1992 and is awarded every 47 months as homage to George Maciunas who died at the age of 47. The edition is exclusively for members of the Nassauischen Kunstverein in an edition of 47, for 470€. Feel free to become a member.