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The Destruction in Art Symposium (DIAS) was a gathering of a diverse group of international artists, poets, and scientists to London, from 9th-11th September, 1966. Included in this number were representatives of the counter-cultural underground who were there to speak on the theme of destruction in art. The Honorary Committee, led by Gustav Metzger, attracted the attention of both the international media and international art community to the symposium.[1]
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Event
The symposium was held at the Africa Centre in Covent Garden, London.
Objectives
A DIAS press release claimed:
| “ | The main objective of DIAS was to focus attention on the element of destruction in Happenings and other art forms, and to relate this destruction in society. | „ |
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—DIAS, [1] |
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Happenings
Throughout September, Happenings took place in venues all over London.[1]
The laws of England
John Latham along with other Fluxus artists including Yoko Ono and Gustav Metzger constructed three large "Skoob Towers" out of books, which they called 'The laws of England', and set fire to them outside of the British Museum.
Participants
The following artists were involved in DIAS:
- John Latham
- Yoko Ono
- Gustav Metzger
- Barbara Steveni
The following artitsts are said to have participated in DIAS in absentia: [2]
- Günter Brus
- Ivor Davies
- Pro Diaz
- Al Hansen
- Fred Hunter
- Otto Mühl
- Ralph Ortiz
- Robin Page
- Jasia Reichardt
- Werner Schreib
- John Sharkey
- Hanns Sohm
- Biff Stevens
- Wolf Vostell
See also
References
- ^ a b c Destruction in Art Symposium, Art & The 60s: This was Tomorrow, Tate Britain, retrieved 2006-08-30.
- ^ Gustav Metzger DIAS, Media Art Net, retrieved 2006-08-30.
