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Identification and Creation

Object Number
M26436
People
George Maciunas, American (Kaunas, Lithuania 1931 - 1978 Boston, MA)
Published by Fluxus, American
Title
Smile Flux Machine for Yoko Ono
Classification
Multiples
Work Type
multiple
Date
1970
Culture
American
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/29157

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Plastic box with printed and typed label, containing plastic and metal device
Technique
Mixed technique
Dimensions
box: 9.3 x 12 x 3.2 cm (3 11/16 x 4 3/4 x 1 1/4 in.)

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. 257

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
Copyright
© George Maciunas Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.
Accession Year
2005
Object Number
M26436
Division
Modern and Contemporary Art
Contact
am_moderncontemporary@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Description
Plastic box with printed label featuring a printed photograph of a human face, the mouth of which two hands are forcing into a smile. These words are printed along the side: "smile flux machine for yoko ono by george maciunas." Inside there is a small contraption (made of hardware, a spring, and two pieces of plastic) that might conceivably (ironically) be used to force lips into a smile.

Publication History

  • Jon Hendricks, Fluxus Codex, Harry N. Abrams, Inc. (New York, 1988), pp. 346-7

Exhibition History

  • Multiple Strategies: Beuys, Maciunas, Fluxus, Harvard University Art Museums, Cambridge, 02/24/2007 - 06/10/2007
  • 32Q: 1100 60’s Experiment, Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, 04/12/2018 - 10/04/2018

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Modern and Contemporary Art at am_moderncontemporary@harvard.edu