About Radio Fluxus: Stories from the Fluxus Archives
Radio Fluxus: Stories from the Fluxus Archives is a podcast series which invites scholars, artists, curators, conservators and other art researchers and practitioners to share their stories about one Fluxus artwork, along with their views on its use and activation. This podcast is part of the research project Activating Fluxus located at Bern University of the Arts and funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation. More information about the aims of the project and its team is available at activatingfluxus.com.
‘When Elephants Fight, It Is The Frogs That Suffer—A Sonic Graffiti’ (2016-2017) by Ben Patterson
The sound installation When Elephants Fight, It Is The Frogs That Suffer – A Sonic Graffiti was conceived by Ben Patterson specifically for documenta 14, which took place in 2017 in Athens and Kassel. Development of the work was disrupted by the artist’s sudden death in June 2016 and was undertaken again by the artist’s estate in collaboration with Nassauischer Kunstverein Wiesbaden (NKW) and Berlin-based composer Bernd Schultheis. In this episode, Elke Gruhn—art historian, former director of the Nassauischer Kunstverein Wiesbaden, and longtime friend of Patterson—recounts the story of realizing the work in Patterson's absence, revealing details of gathering and arranging the components of the sound piece and translating the artist’s instructions into site-specific installations mounted in Athens and Kassel. Gruhn reflects on the challenges related to unavoidable speculation on the artist’s intention, technical difficulties presented by the two distinct sites of documenta 14, and the subsequent inclusion of the work in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.
More information about the episode, the piece and the guest is available on the episode's website (https://activatingfluxus.com/2025/09/29/episode-10-when-elephants-fight-it-is-the-frogs-that-suffer-a-sonic-graffiti-2016-2017-by-ben-patterson/).
1 Sept 2025
‘Piano Activities’ (~1962) by Philip Corner
This episode explores Philip Corner’s iconic work Piano Activities, starting with its controversial 1962 premiere at the Wiesbaden festival. Our guest, artist Sean Miller, narrates his experience interpreting Corner’s latest version of the score, titled Piano Aktivitys as a Disciplind Destruktshun (2022), which he orchestrated and performed in 2024 in Gainesville, Florida as part of the “Fluxus in the Swamp” exhibition. Miller reflects on the 62-year evolution of Piano Activities, from its destructive beginnings to Corner's evolved concept of “piano activity destined for transformation” that converts discarded pianos into precious art objects and sculptures. Exploring the challenges and uncertainties of balancing respect for the original work with creative interpretation and artistic freedom, Miller shares insights into what it takes to perform a historical Fluxus piece nowadays. More information about the work, the artist and the narrator is available on the episode's website (https://activatingfluxus.com/2025/09/01/episode-9-piano-activities-1962-by-philip-corner/).
3 Jun 2025
‘Very Fast Clock’ / ‘Very Slow Fan’ (~1975) by Larry Miller and George Maciunas
Researcher Rachel Rivenc examines Larry Miller and George Maciunas's collaborative Fluxus piece, exploring its history and preparation for exhibition at the Getty Research Institute in this episode.
25 Sept 2023
‘Performance Piece #8’ and '“T” Dictionary' (1965) by Alison Knowles
Alice Centamore discusses Alison Knowles's Performance Piece #8 and "T" Dictionary, exploring the work's various forms and connections to Something Else Press and Gallery in this episode.
1 Sept 2023
‘Dream Piece’ (1976) by John Armleder
Yann Chateigné, art historian, curator, and writer, narrates his interactions with John Armleder's 'Dream Piece' performance within the Fluxus-influenced Ecart Group, highlighting its historical and artistic significance in this interview.
23 May 2023
‘Orange Event No. 3’ (1963) by Bengt af Klintberg
Scholar Magdalena Holdar examines Bengt af Klintberg's Fluxus score, Orange Event No. 3, exploring its various forms and Holdar's experience using it with students in this interview episode.
25 Feb 2023
‘Open and Shut Case’ (1965) by Ken Friedman
This episode explores Ken Friedman's Fluxus work, 'Open and Shut Case (1965),' and its various interpretations and material manifestations over time, revealing the evolution of a score-based artwork.
7 Jan 2023
‘Mirror Piece’ (1963) by Mieko Shiomi
Sally Kawamura explores Mieko Shiomi's 'Mirror Piece' (1963), a Fluxus score with diverse manifestations, including handwritten versions and performance interpretations, offering insights into its playful and multifaceted nature.
25 Oct 2022
'Hooked' (1980) by Ben Patterson
Conservator Albrecht Gumlich discusses Benjamin Patterson's artwork "Hooked" and the challenges of preserving Fluxus art, revealing how the piece disrupts a reading room and raises questions about conserving organic matter in archives; this is an interview.
18 Oct 2022
'Thursday' (1963) by George Brecht
Jules Pelta Feldman examines George Brecht's conceptual event score "Thursday," comparing its material and conceptual dimensions to other Fluxus works and contemplating its performance and activation in this interview episode.
Who has been a guest on Radio Fluxus: Stories from the Fluxus Archives
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Rachel Rivenc
Alice Centamore
Yann Chateigné
Magdalena Holdar
Albrecht Gumlich
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YouTube views
1,196
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Podcast Authority Score: 30 / 100
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33
Social presence
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YouTube
68
Engagement
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