The Fluxus movement, which reached its peak in the 1960s, was a revolutionary artistic movement that pushed the boundaries of conventional art. In this article, we will focus on a lesser-known aspect of this movement: the use of sound and noise as an artistic medium.
Fluxus and the art of sound
The Fluxus artists, including Nam June Paik, John Cage and George Maciunas, were known for incorporating everyday sounds and noises into their artworks. They believed that sound could be just as valid an artistic medium as painting or sculpture, opening up new avenues of creative expression.
Sound installations and performances
Sound installations and performances were an important form of Fluxus art that utilised sound and noise. Nam June Paik, for example, a prominent representative of the Fluxus movement, created “TV-Bra for Living Sculpture” (1969), a performance in which a dancer wore a bra made of televisions that played various sounds and images. This performance combined visual and auditory elements and explored the relationship between sound, image and movement.
Sound collages and noise compositions
Fluxus artists also created sound collages and noise compositions, which often consisted of randomly selected sounds and noises. John Cage, one of the most influential composers of the 20th century and a member of the Fluxus movement, developed the idea of “aleatoric music”, in which chance played a decisive role in the creation of sound.
Fluxus and the expansion of the concept of art
The integration of sound and noise into art by the Fluxus movement contributed to the expansion of the concept of art. It showed that art does not have to be limited to visual media, but can encompass diverse forms of creative expression.
The Fluxus movement was pioneering in its use of sound and noise as an artistic medium. Their experiments and innovations had a lasting influence on the art world and opened the door for further developments in sound art. The Fluxus artists taught us that art can be everywhere, even in the sounds and noises of our everyday environment.