I chose Total Art Matchbox to examine because of the blunt simplicity in its message. Fluxus was anti-museum in the same sense as Dada was anti-art. Fluxus artists didn’t like museums because they didn’t like the idea of people choosing certain pieces as “high art.” Therefore, Ben Vautier made this piece of art, declaring the owner to burn all museums down and then use the last match to destroy itself. Unlike much of Dada and Surrealist art, this piece says exactly what it means to say: It is much easier to examine and discuss the Total Art Matchbox than one of Salvador Dali’s paintings or films.
The Total Art Matchbox also plays off the Fluxus concept of involving the viewer into the art. It is calling for action by the viewer, and doesn’t present a choice to them. I’m reminded of Yoko Ono’s “Cut Piece” that we viewed in class. Both pieces are telling the audience to something, whether they choose to or not is their decision. In addition, the two are related because of the physical aspect. Much of Fluxus art included physical objects that were used in the piece or performance. By using matches and a matchbox, Vautier turned an everyday item into a calling for a greater response to “high-art.”
http://www.theartstory.org/movement-fluxus-artworks.htm#pnt_3
According to the website above, “Often Fluxus artists would produce a large number of identical pieces to deliberately devalue the object. It can be assumed that many of these boxes were burned as per the instructions on the cover, the involvement of the viewer completing the piece.” I thought this was interesting because an object like matches and a matchbox could be easily reproduced, which would spread the message even more. The fact that the last match is supposed to be destroyed gives a sort of finality to the work of art as well. “High-art” would traditionally be something like a painting that can only be looked at, and doesn’t give the viewer any sense of mastering the piece. It can only be speculated upon, but with the Total Art Matchbox there are explicit instructions on how to master it.
Literature and the Other Arts 