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A plastic box with a printed label, the box contains printed cards.

The plastic box has a printed label with a photograph of a van the side of which is covered in signs and texts which read in part, “Theatre d’art Total,” “Tout,” “Absence d’Art equals Art,” “Art equals Ben,” Une chaise est une chaise Ben 64,” Regardez ce point.” “La creation equals nouveau,” La creation equals tout,” La creation equals Intention,” La creation equals Pretention,” “La creation equals Le autres,” La creation equals in satisfaction,” La creation equals aussi.” One card reads “Whenever you see art think of Ben turn your head and walk away.”

Identification and Creation

Object Number
M26485
People
Ben Vautier, French (Naples, Italy 1935 - 2024 Nice, France)
Designed by George Maciunas, American (Kaunas, Lithuania 1931 - 1978 Boston, MA)
Published by Fluxus, American
Title
Theatre d'art total
Classification
Multiples
Work Type
multiple
Date
1967
Culture
French
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/29735

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Plastic box with offset printed label, containing 30 offset printed cards
Technique
Photolithograph
Dimensions
box: 9.3 x 12 x 1 cm (3 11/16 x 4 3/4 x 3/8 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. 445

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
© Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris
Accession Year
2005
Object Number
M26485
Division
Modern and Contemporary Art
Contact
am_moderncontemporary@harvard.edu
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Publication History

  • Jon Hendricks, Fluxus Codex, Harry N. Abrams, Inc. (New York, 1988), p. 517

Exhibition History

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