Billie Maciunas: The Eve of Fluxus [108]

Billie Maciunas has graciously contributed a copy of her new book, "The Eve of Fluxus," to the Ray Johnson and A Book About death Permanent Archive. The book is a memoir of Billie's meeting and marrying George Maciunas, founder of the 20th century art group Fluxus. This group influenced Ray Johnson and many of the contributing A Book About Death artists.


Writes author Billie Maciunas: "The Eve of Fluxus: A Fluxmemoir is published by Arbiter Press, an independent press in Orlando, Florida. The book is 131 pages, measures 6-inches x 8-1/4 inches, and includes photos by Hollis Melton of The Flux Wedding and the Black and White Piece that George and I performed for the Flux Cabaret on February 25, 1978.

"Photos include images of Louise Bourgeois, Jackson Mac Low, Alison Knowles, Geoffrey Hendricks, Nam June Paik, and Larry Miller (as maid of honor).

"Art historian Kristine Stiles wrote the Preface; Fluxus artist Geoffrey Hendricks contributed the Introduction, and Fluxus artist Larry Miller wrote the Afterword.

"The book cover and all photos are black and white as an homage to George’s graphic style and the fact that he was color blind. It is primarily a love story as told by an itinerant poet who was profoundly changed by association with and marriage to George. In writing the book I tried to associate George’s personal attributes with those he possessed as an artist. The subtitle, a Fluxmemoir refers to the style of the book, which crosses scholarly, fictional, poetic, and nonfictional genres."

The book has three covers, “Bubble,” (pictured), “Silo,” and “Bullet,” designed by D. S. H. Watson, Orlando, Fl. You can order the one you like. See: On The Eve of Fluxus site for all information.

Geoffrey Giffuni & Geoffrey Hendricks [24]

Geoffrey Giffuni & Geoffrey Hendricks at the opening of A Book About Death. The Fluxus artist came early and stayed late.  See his piece for the exhibition, LIFE/DEATH, a hand-made toe-tag, signed and numbered, here. Geoffrey Giffuni is a friend and supporter of the exhibition. He and his wife Heidi spent 35 minutes on their hands and knees collecting a complete set of the exhibition works. "It was like gardening," he said when all the cards were finally packed away in his Dean & Delucca shopping bag.  Geoffrey Giffuni was also responsible for handing out programs to all the people waiting on line up Broadway waiting to get in to the exhibition. So thank him for that.