Dimensions / 20.3×25.4cm (8x10inch)
Medium / B&W Photograph

Benjamin Patterson’s Paper Piece is a score written in 1960 that contains instructions for paper actions to fold, rip, crush, rub and throw away strips of paper. The photograph is its performance as the very first program of Festum Fluxorum Fluxus, Musik und Antimusik – Das Instrumentale Theater held in Staatliche Kunstakademie Düsseldorf in 1963. A large sheet of paper was stretched out at the stage behind which Jean-Pierre Wilhelm gave an introductory speech. Then another large sheet paper was rolled out above the audience. With the sounds of crumpling and tearing paper behind, holes appeared on the onstage paper screen one by one. As performers threw wadded paper balls over the audience, the holes were getting bigger and bigger. The performance came to a close with the paper remains scattered across the floor. This work is regarded as one of the first Fluxus attempts to directly engage with the audience.