M26411: Canned Mystery

Identification and Creation

Object Number

M26411

People

Hi Red Center, Japanese (active 1960s)
Distributed by Fluxus, American

Title

Canned Mystery

Classification

Multiples

Work Type

altered readymade

Date

c. 1964

Culture

American

Persistent Link

https://hvrd.art/o/28750

Physical Descriptions

Medium

Altered readymade tin can with printed label

Technique

Mixed technique

Dimensions

7.94 x 6.67 cm (3 1/8 x 2 5/8 in.)

Inscriptions and Marks

• inscription: bottom of can, in artist's hand: The letter on the bottom of the can - either H or I - is a code referring to the contents. The code can only be broken by opening the can, which then changes the work....

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History

Barbara Moore, Bound/Unbound, New York, New York, partial gift partial purchase; to Harvard University Art Museums, June 28, 2005.

State, Edition, Standard Reference Number

Standard Reference Number

S. 158

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line

Harvard Art Museums/Fogg Museum, Barbara and Peter Moore Fluxus Collection, Margaret Fisher Fund and gift of Barbara Moore/Bound & Unbound

Accession Year

2005

Object Number

M26411

Division

Modern and Contemporary Art

Contact

am_moderncontemporary@harvard.edu

Permissions

The Harvard Art Museums encourage the use of images found on this website for personal, noncommercial use, including educational and scholarly purposes. To request a higher resolution file of this image, please submit an online request.

Publication History

• Jon Hendricks, Fluxus Codex, Harry N. Abrams, Inc. (New York, 1988), p.267

Exhibition History

• Multiple Strategies: Beuys, Maciunas, Fluxus, Harvard University Art Museums, Cambridge, 02/24/2007 - 06/10/2007

Verification Level