Destruction in Art Symposium

The Destruction in Art Symposium (DIAS) was a gathering of a diverse group of international artists, poets, and scientists to London, from 9–11 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]

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.

— DIAS[1]

Happenings

Throughout September, Happenings took place in venues all over London, including Conway Hall.[2][1]

The laws of England

John Latham constructed three large "Skoob Towers" out of books, which they called "The laws of England", and set fire to them outside the British Museum.

Honorary Committee

Participants

The following artists were involved in DIAS:

The following artists are said to have participated in DIAS in absentia:[3]

Photographers:

  • Tom Picton
  • John Prosser
  • Hanns Sohm (collector)

See also

References
  1. Destruction in Art Symposium, Art & The 60s: This was Tomorrow, Tate Britain, retrieved 2006-08-30.
  2. Miki. "Yoko Ono at the Destruction In The Art Symposium (DIAS) from "DIAS - Photofeature" by John Prosser in "Art and Artists" October, 1966". Flickr. Flickr. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  3. Gustav Metzger DIAS, Media Art Net, retrieved 2006-08-30.
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