Windsor, Ontario
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A flurry of 18 spontaneous emails posted to FLUXLIST (the Fluxus email discussion group) during a three-day period in November 1997, described a variety of possible scripts for something called "FENCE EVENT."
On November 14, 1997, FLUXUS Midwest enacted several of these scripts
at ARTSEEN, an annual showcase of new and experimental artworks in Windsor, Ontario.
ARTSEEN is sponsored by Artcite, a Canadian artist-run centre for the contemporary arts.
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| An analysis of the various scripts was conducted. This analysis is presented on another page (click here to view). FLUXUS Midwest then chose several scripts to enact. These choices reflected a desire for simplicity of execution, for the concrete (vs. the imaginary)...and for whimsy. The results are presented below in FOUR PARTS. |
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John@fenixsf.com's suggestion of reducing the event script to booth set up with 'Free Tickets' sign seemed like a good place to start. FLUXUS Midwest set up and manned a table with "FREE TICKETS!" and "FLUXLIST/FENCE EVENT" signs and with a roll of tickets. We did not set up the fence at this time. All inquirers and many passersby were given free tickets (sometimes without any explanation, sometimes with an explanation of what was to follow). Because the booth was near one of the doors to the building, some people wondered if this was a required ticket for the entire exhibition. FLUXUS Midwest also distributed some tickets while visiting the other installations and performances in the three-floor exhibition space. | |
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After handing out FREE TICKETS! for about an hour, we set up the "fenced-in area"--approximately 30 feet away--and followed the first FENCE EVENT script (submitted by Fluxis@aol.com) . Six fence posts (individual wooden stands 3.5-feet tall) and yellow nylon rope were used to establish an approximately 10-foot by 10-foot square fenced-in area. A sign stating "TICKET REQUIRED FOR ADMISSION" was placed on one of the posts at the entry. The display or collection of tickets was not always rigorously enforced, however. More than several participants who had entered the fenced-in area later felt compelled to seek us out and "turn in" their ticket. Most participants simply walked around inside the perimeter--usually circling the large square pillar within the space (looking for clues?). Several asked if the small grey covering taped on the floor (and viewable here in the photos) was part of the installation (it wasn't). | |
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For the last event of the evening, we enacted the "County Fair" script submitted by BestPoet@aol.com. Four pieces of yellow nylon rope were taped to the floor of the fenced-in area to create a 3x3 grid. The game was explained and betting forms were distributed. The signed forms and bets were then collected. Bets ranged from small-denomination coins, to keys, to movie ticket stubs, to other personal items. Local performance artist, Graham MacLeod, was recruited to serve as "the cow." He was given some plastic fake dog shit and asked to wander around and drop the "cowpie" somewhere in the fenced in area. No bettors were observed trying to influence his behavior. Two lucky winners divided the bets (returning most of the personal items). | |
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| Our original plan had been to take everything down at the end of the evening. We decided, however, to remove the ticket booth (and tickets) but leave the fence for the remainder of the two-week exhibition. Although this action was not explicitly suggested by any of the FENCE EVENT scripts posted to FLUXLIST, it is an action somewhat parallel to PART ONE (i.e., ticket booth by itself, now fence by itself). So the fence was left standing--silently guarded by a sign at the entry way that says "TICKET REQUIRED FOR ADMISSION." | ||
THE
END