I constantly find myself asking questions like, “What is art?,” “What is the meaning of this[everything]?,” and especially, ”What am I?” These are the questions that the idea of Fluxus attempts to answer through what they consider art. The problems with such a task are; is this really art and are they answering the questions.

In my opinion, the idea of Fluxus is more art than the actual pieces themselves. Upon visiting the Grey Art Gallery, the events scores and flux boxes, for example, were quite intriguing. They were truly simple and creative. Art can be simple but brilliant, but that’s only when you intend to create something brilliant without the intention of being simple. I feel as if the people who crafted, or even just came up with these pieces, purposely tried to be simple in their pursuit of brilliance. That is why I can’t consider them great pieces of art.

This brings me to another point, is this stuff even art in the first place? Honestly, I don’t think most of it is. I guess I can consider the painting on the floor art, and even the television tubes with the adjusted screens, but the “G-d in a Box” piece, not at all. Some idiot just placed random stuff in a case and sealed it shut. That screams desperation to me. I think it’s fair to say that art is what affects people. I also believe that some actual work should be incorporated into the project, a little more than gluing or pasting some stuff together.

I was left with more questions than answers after viewing the exhibit. The brochure explained to me the questions that Fluxus is intended to answer, yet if anything, he pieces only represented those topics. They didn’t actually provide answers, and no matter how the “artists” describe the explanations, I still wont get it.

I can’t say the whole exhibit was all bad though. I actually found the “Star-Spangled Hot Dog” quite peculiar, in a good way. I’m just hoping there wasn’t a real hot dog under all the glitter. I found most interesting, though, the door with the caution around it. That was the first thing that caught my eye when I entered the gallery. I really just wanted to step over the tape and touch it. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to. I guess it’ll just have to be a venture for another day.