Fluxus 40th Anniversary: Tracing the Avant-Garde's Parisian Roots

The 40th anniversary of Fluxus is being commemorated in Paris, showcasing its early concerts at the American Students & Artists Center in 1962, with Michel Asso playing a pivotal role. Jacques Donguy's article raises questions about the timeline of Fluxus, pointing out that the Lettrist International has been promoting the idea of the 'slightly delayed death of the arts' since 1952, which predates George Maciunas's manifesto from 1963. The first European concert took place on September 1, 1962, in Wiesbaden, followed by shows in London, Copenhagen, and Paris (December 3-8, 1962), featuring notable figures like Emmett Williams and Dick Higgins. Asso organized events in 1966 and held a concert on January 7, 1967. Celebratory concerts occurred on June 13 and 15, 2002, but a planned event for December 5, 2002, was canceled.