Movie spotlight
Flux-Concert
On March 24, 1979, The Kitchen presented a two-part program dedicated to the work of various Fluxus artists. The programming began with the premiere of Alison Knowles’s “Natural Assemblages and the True Crow.” For the piece, Knowles engaged in a dialogue with her own taped voice, which read aloud selections from various natural history books. Simultaneously, violinist Michael Goldstein provided an improvised score while dancer Jessie Higgins executed a number of one-movement phrases by following instructions on index cards. The second part of the night’s programming consisted of forty rapid performances—most sixty seconds or less—by various Fluxus members, including Yoko Ono, George Brecht, La Monte Young, and Nam June Paik. Ken Friedman and Larry Miller coordinated this portion of the event.
Insights
Plot Summary
Flux-Concert was a groundbreaking musical television special that showcased a diverse range of avant-garde and experimental musical performances. Featuring artists who pushed the boundaries of sound and visual presentation, the program offered a unique snapshot of the burgeoning electronic and performance art scenes of the late 1970s. It aimed to present challenging and innovative music to a wider television audience, often incorporating striking visual elements and conceptual performances.
Critical Reception
Information on the specific critical reception of 'Flux-Concert' from 1979 is scarce. As a specialized program airing on public television or independent channels, it likely garnered attention from niche music publications and critics interested in experimental art. Reviews, where they exist, probably focused on the novelty of the performances and the artistic merit of the featured musicians. Audience reception would have been similarly specialized, appealing to those seeking unconventional musical experiences.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its courageous presentation of experimental and avant-garde music.
Noted for its visual flair and innovative performance art integration.
Appreciated by a niche audience seeking challenging and unconventional sonic experiences.
Google audience: Due to its niche nature and the era of its release, there is no readily available summary of Google user reviews for 'Flux-Concert'. Information regarding audience reactions from the time is limited to specialized music and art communities.
Fun Fact
The "Flux" in Flux-Concert likely refers to the Fluxus movement, an international network of artists, composers, and designers involved in a variety of disciplines in the 1960s and 1970s, known for its experimental and often intermedia art forms.
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