FLUXSHOE

Throughout the 70s and 80s there was little conceptual or radical art to be seen in Cornwall (or at least what there was remained hidden). One event in 1972 stands out, however, when the touring exhibition 'FLUXSHOE' opened in Falmouth.

George Maciunas coined the name 'FLUXUS' in 1961, initially as the title of a magazine. It went on to become, arguably,  the most radical of post-war art movements, and almost certainly the one with the furthest reach. Although it started in the US, artists from across the world, including performance artists like Joseph Beuys and Yoko Ono, became involved.

In '72/'73 a touring FLUXUS exhibition was coordinated by David Mayor, who was based in Exeter, supported by George Maciunas and Ken Friedman. Called FLUXSHOE, it travelled to a number of 'provincial' locations and gave a platform for then emerging British artists like Ian Breakwell, Helen Chadwick and COUM Transmissions (later Throbbing Gristle).

The substantial catalogue (above) was printed by the Beau Geste Press. Founded by Felipe Ehrenberg in 1971, and located in a farmhouse outside Exeter, Beau Geste went on to be one of the most influential small presses of the 70s.  http://www.tate.org.uk/research/researchservices/archive/archive_mayor.htm

Felipe, who was also a performer and contributor to 'Fluxshoe', and Stuart Reid who was involved in the Falmouth show, told artcornwall some of their recollections. Stuart also passed on to us an extremely rare copy of the Falmouth programme (below).

I see from your CV that you were in Falmouth at the time of FLUXSHOE- presumably doing a degree?

Yes I was a student from 1970/73 doing a degree in fine art painting.

And the exhibition was in the Arts Centre that was, I take it, on the High Street as it is now?

No not as far as I can remember (35 years is a long time!) The exhibition was held in the College gallery and the performance in the Arts Centre.

How did you get involved with the show,

I was on the exhibitions committee; the exhibition opened the program for the new academic year. We took touring exhibitions mainly, the Fluxus tour represented good value as it stimulated great debate, publicity and musically there were strong connections with Harrison Birtwistle, David Mayor, and College staff. 

I was interested in electronic music e.g. John Cage. The College had invested in an electronic music studio run by a composer Howard Rees who had been involved with the first one in the country established at Goldsmiths. It was partly through these connections and getting to know the participating artists especially Eric Anderson and David Mayor. The person to talk to about this is Philip Hogben (he headed up the exhibitions committee) who I think you may be able to contact through the Newlyn Society of Arts.

Its interesting how hugely influenced by music, and in particular Cage, this group of artists were. What was your contribution?

I performed a George Brecht piece entitled 'Durations Red & Green'.  This involved eating a green salad and drinking a bottle of red wine while a red and green spot light revolved on me. The performance ended when the salad was eaten and the wine drunk.

Who else did what, can you remember?

I can remember other things but for now I suggest you try to contact David Mayor who organized the exhibition and the event. (Attached Tate archive). David took lots of photographs of the performance and some of these photographs of the Fluxus performance in Falmouth were exhibited in the Fluxbritannica exhibition. I don’t have a catalogue I am not sure if one was produced and the name of the curator escapes me.

Apart from the programme, all images are from the from the original Fluxshoe catalogue: from top to bottom: cover, George Maciunas, Yoko Ono and Joseph Beuys.

FLUXSHOE was also the subject of an exhibition called 'Fluxbritannica' at the Tate in 1994. There was no catalogue produced for this later show.

If anyone has more information or documentation relevant to this article please contact me rupert.white@virgin.net