PUT EVERYTHING IN ITS RIGHT PLACE

The Fluxus Indians believed that a small thread of DISORDER permeated the universe--that not everything was as it was supposed to be. Although they felt it was necessary to accept the disorder, they felt it was even more important to celebrate and affirm THE ORDER. This philosophy spawned a variety of rituals.

One ritual used a special push-button switch. The Fluxus Indians believed that when this button was pushed everything in the universe was put in its right place--everything would be where it was supposed to be--for a tiny imperceptible split second. If something were "out of place" (e.g., a tool on the floor) it would momentarily return to its "right place" (e.g., a tool box). If someone were not with the person with whom they were supposed to be, they would--for that imperceptible moment--be with the right person.

Button Switches
A Fluxus Indian would approach the button-pushing ritual with maximum alertness and attention in order to "experience" this moment as fully as possible (compare to The Really Big Button That Doesn't Do Anything).

The ultimate objective of repeated practice was to expand one's awareness of this moment by celebrating the the concept of AN IDEAL ORDER.


Throughout most of Fluxus Indian history, however, there appears to have been a dissenting group who held the opposite view. This group, derisively called "PONKS," believed that DISORDER was the primary universal force and the true source of creative energy.

Ponks sought to affirm and celebrate DISORDER. The colors of the Ponk's push button were reversed, and its use was believed to put everything in the universe momentarily in the wrong place.


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© 2006 Allen Bukoff & FLUXUS Midwest