Ben
French · b. 1935
Mixed media, text-based art
DESCRIPTION
Benjamin Vautier, known mononymously as Ben, was a pioneering French-Swiss conceptual artist and a central figure in the Fluxus movement. Born in Naples and based in Nice, he became famous for his signature white cursive handwriting on monochrome backgrounds, often delivering philosophical or provocative statements such as "Tout est Art" (Everything is Art). His work aimed to blur the boundaries between art and everyday life, spanning performance, installation, and visual art. He was a prominent member of the École de Nice and his work is featured in major collections including the Centre Pompidou and MoMA. He died in June 2024.