Ever realize you've got a dash of FLUXUS DNA in your genetic cocktail?
Back in the day, you were the maestro of turning humdrum existence into a vibrant playground of laughter, a kaleidoscope of colors, and a symphony of emotions. Unfortunately, as time ambles on, that once-dominant GENE decides to take a coffee break. Fortunately, this year, precisely on September 8 at 10:30 PM, at George Maciunas Square, we're about to revisit the spontaneous excitement of our childhood days!
According to George Maciunas, the potential lies in our ability to engage with everything around us, thereby converting mundane existence into a tapestry of distinct, enjoyable, and captivating encounters. So, mark your calendar and gear up for a dose of extraordinary, starting with a personalized FLUXUS RECIPE dished out to each participant on a Friday evening.
Unlock the doors of your imagination and retrieve the most fantastic costume. Upon obtaining the RECIPE from routine-digesting DOCTOR GEORGE, proceed to the ULTRASONIC MOUNTAIN research laboratory. There, you'll not only encounter individuals akin to yourself but also embrace your true essence. DOCTOR GEORGE will utilize laser technology to analyze your fluxity (thus, approach the mountain responsibly, as authentic fluxers would). On top, DOCTOR GROERGE and his assistant will meet you at the FLUXUS RAVE CABINET, where the monotony of everyday life and boredom shall COME TO AN END.
\\ Don't be bashful; let your alter egos run wild, unleash the real you, and kick the humdrum shades out of ordinary life's palette.
\\ Brace yourself, because DOCTOR GEORGE is here with your personalized FLUXUS PRESCRIPTION.
\\ Yet, a word of caution: we do not issue this warning lightly! FLUXUS FESTIVAL is known to be addictive, so indulge with your eyes wide shut.
One more time for the folks at the back: let's drill it into our everyday-soaked brains!
The location for acquiring your FLUXUS PRESCRIPTION is George Maciunas Square (Parodos St. 1, Kaunas).
The date of your FLUXUS PRESCRIPTION is September 8th, 10:30 PM.
Dress code? Slip into your most fluid ensemble; let your essence leak through.
And getting up the mountain? As you please, just remember – don’t do anything ordinary.
18:00 – 22:30
At the bar Kultūra (K. Donelaičio St. 16), opposite American Pizza (Vytauto St. 60) and near the Sobor, costume workshops will be taking place, so we warmly invite you to drop by if you haven't managed to make a costume at home. In these spaces, you can also comfortably change into your brought/transported costume.
22.30
The Fluxus gathering at Parodos hill in George Maciunas Square (near the house at Parodos St. 1) begins. We recommend not to be late and to take starting positions by at least 22:15.
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Organised by Kaunas Artists' House.
Financed by Kaunas City Municipality.
Supported by Fluxus Labas!
The event is FREE and open to everyone who loves fluxus and culture.
Smile! Professional photographers will capture the memories of the occasion.
BEFORE THE FESTIVAL
Do not be surprised if unusual Fluxus mirages begin to appear on Wednesday. Although the peculiar routine seems clear now, this time the Fluxus events promise to change the usual scenario. Before the big Friday Fluxus event, we invite everyone to diverse experiences in the Wednesday mirages! Whether your Wednesdays have become monotonous or you feel overwhelmed by the constant Fluxus inspiration, we invite everyone to prepare for the Fluxus festival. And for those who still want more, we invite you to Thursday's program too.
17:00 | Fluxus = George Maciunas?
Join us for a tour where you will have an interesting introduction to the winding path of G. Maciunas's life. Many say that George Maciunas = Fluxus. Indeed, the artistic movement born in his mind has always remained HIS ALONE. Only George Maciunas could define what is fluxus and what is not. During the experiential tour, museum educators will invite participants to discover, create, experience, touch, smell art, and actively explore the Fluxus cabinet.
Where? – Kaunas Picture Gallery
Price – with a museum visitor's ticket 4–8 Eur.
18:30 – 19:00 | Fluxus tourist excursion
During the Fluxus tour, participants will be invited to travel a predetermined route and feel as if they are in a completely different place. The tour is based on the principles of George Maciunas's Fluxus movement, utilizing creativity and imagination. You will visit locations near Unity Square. You will be in the center of Kaunas, but you will experience the hustle and bustle of Asian cities, Berlin's nightlife, or the dangers of the jungle.
Where? – Unity Square. Please meet at the War Museum (54.899658, 23.911949). The tour lasts 20 minutes and ends with an interactive performance at WHAT?EVERYDAY!.
Registration for the tour will be in the fluxus style – just come, there will be enough guides for everyone!
19:00 – 19:30 | Dance and theater pedagogy students' troupe – "Escaped from the Theater" performance – WHAT?EVERYDAY! (KAS?DIEN!)
Where? – Unity Square
About everyday life:
– What's new?
– Nothing. Nothing…
– It's all the same...
Everyday, boring dialogues in daily life... It's the same over and over. Everything repeats and goes in circles. What is a person in everyday life? Mundane? What? Everyday!
Human - a being capable of creating their daily life. Capable of getting stuck in it. Meet another person, overlook them, get tired of endless days, weeks, months, forget to smile for no reason, enjoy small things... Life's pace, the carousel of daily life, spins at high speed and mercilessly throws you to the ground...
We create our own everyday life from which we try to escape... or we don't... We run out of strength and stay stuck in our own loop, like hamsters in their burrows.
When was the last time you enjoyed your boring everyday life?
Now close your eyes, inhale, and exhale - that's everyday life... but everything's in your hands, you can change it, YOU CAN! If you just want to...
The creative team "Escaped from the Theater" raises various socially relevant questions in their work. This performance is about a boring daily life. How to live so you don't get tired of your daily life? Can you change your daily life? Or maybe it's impossible?
The day before the big Fluxus Friday feels like a breath-taking pause. It's akin to breathing in the air of freedom, which dictates that it's time to create cheeky pranks, make some noise, and allow thoughts to dive into the multifaceted DIY (Do It Yourself) world. From the Fluxus office, where innovative explosions of ideas are born, to the Homes where impassioned artists craft exceptionally playful plans. From stepping out of the artistic creation realm to the local residents who explore, experiment, and think outside the box – Kaunas artists don't adhere to any creative boundaries and invite you to the Thursday evening program.
17:00 – 18:00 | Creative workshop "Fluxus ODE to the letter"
Did you know that mail can be designated not only for letters and gifts but also for artwork? We invite you to a workshop where participants can use various stamps and stickers of shapes and letters to create a unique postcard cover, learn to recognize different forms and letters, and combine them into one composition. We'll craft small collages and decorate them with drawings or poems.
Where? – Kaunas Picture Gallery
Price – 5 Eur for adults / 3 Eur for children.
17:00 – 18:00 | Experiential tour: "Fluxus = George Maciunas?"
Join us for a tour that offers a fascinating introduction to the winding life journey of G. Maciunas. Many claim that George Maciunas = Fluxus. Indeed, the artistic movement, born in his mind, has always been ONLY HIS. George Maciunas was the sole authority on what fluxus is and what it isn't. During this experiential tour, museum educators will invite you to discover, create, experience, touch, smell art, and actively get to know the Fluxus cabinet.
Where? – Kaunas Picture Gallery
Tour times: 2023 09 06 17.00 – REGISTRATION | 2023 09 07 18.00 – REGISTRATION
Price – with a museum visitor ticket 4–8 Eur.
// PROGRAM AT THE KAUNAS ARTISTS' HOUSE: HOUSE. KAUNAS ARTISTS'
18:00 – 22:00 | Installation "House. Kaunas artists'"
The Kaunas Artists' House is one of the most renowned art institutions in Kaunas. But is it truly a home? We invite you to step into the threshold of the Kaunas Artists' House (institution/space?), put on slippers, and discover the young creators' Fluxus perspective on homes, which are of the Kaunas artists. Thus, dear guests, for dinner, we will serve pages filled with sentences and images; when heading to the restroom, we'll ask you to recall your dreams and find even more of those fun Fluxus Easter Eggs hidden throughout the event spaces.
Where? – Kaunas Artists' House
18:00 – 22:00 | Neighbors: Bar Olympus
The neighbors of the Kaunas Artists' House – Bar Olympus will relocate for one evening and set up on the KAH terrace. Their mixed elixirs of laughter and happiness recipes will surely aid in crafting pranks, observing daily twists, and seeking the most unique fluxus costume idea, so essential for the next day's evening.
Where? – Kaunas Artists' House
18:00 – 22:00 | Installation / workshop: "A very pleasant and sweet child or how to make a child from childhood"
This unique workshop-installation will invite you to contemplate your childhood, toys, and from them craft... A child in a fluxus D.I.Y. style. Here's a snippet from the recipe: "Such an astonishing child! And truly a straightforward and time-tested recipe since there's no need for another person, a can, or a mold; the entire process is painless. A silent child, never crying, with a very soft body... mmmmmmm."
Where? – Kaunas Artists' House
20:00 – 21:00 | Before going to sleep
The bedroom is a space of/for secrets. On September 7th, one of the rooms in the Kaunas Artists' House will become a space for them. What's heavy on your heart? What keeps you up at night? What do you wish to share, but are too scared due to potential judgment?
When my thoughts prevent me from sleeping, I paint nails. This is my invite to you. Let's strike a deal - a secret of yours in return for painted nails. The trick is simple: share a secret in your native tongue, and I'll choose a nail color based on it.
Release your secrets.
This event follows up on the “Glittery Secrets” performance held in Lublin, April 2023.
Anastas Krusińska will be attending to your confessions.
Where? – Kaunas Artists' House
19:30 – 21:00 | Musical performance: DJ SAGA
DJ SAGA - Sigitas, born on 1971.07.02. He graduated from the Lithuanian Music Academy in 1995 with a major in event direction. He's been a DJ for over 30 years, a music event organizer, and the leader of “Strokes Temple.”
Saga began mixing dance music with reel-to-reel tape decks as early as 1986 during school. He was among the first in Lithuania to play with vinyl records, hosted musical radio and TV shows, and wrote articles promoting electronic music philosophy.
In his music collection, the godfather of the Lithuanian rave has a diverse range of electronic music, from reggae, dub, chillout to nu-breaks, techno, psytrance, and hardcore.
Recalling the origins, DJ Saga's music set might feature older tracks by The Klf, The Prodigy, Chemical Brothers, Underworld, Daft Punk.
Where? – Kaunas Artists' House