[Flashback] “Flush with the Walls” MFA art stunt turns 40

Published Jun 23 2011, 10:33 AM by Nate Homan

In 1971, Boston After Dark (the alt-weekly that would eventually become the Boston Phoenix) investigated a particularly whimsical outburst of art activism: Way before the days of Banksy, six rogue Boston artists invaded the MFA's men's room, transforming it into a makeshift gallery. They smuggled in their own work -- via the "Is that a painting in your pants or are you just happy to see me?" method -- and converted the lavatory walls into "the only place in the Museum that exhibits contemporary local art."

Last week, in honor of the 40th anniversary of "Flush with the Walls," Phoenix art critic Greg Cook staged his own guerrilla gallery stunt to commemorate the milestone, and to raise awareness of Boston's own neglected art scene. This time, Cook assembled a crack team of 21 local artists to pull off this caper. Did they succeed? You can read all about Cook's adventure here.

As for the original "Flush" show: In her 1971 piece, reporter Alicia Faxon wrote that "the attendance for the show was fantastic. At one time there were so many notables packed in it was impossible to see the art." Faxon added, "The irony of the situation was evident when one artist turned to another and said, ‘Congratulations on your first museum show.' " Not long after this mischievous masquerade, the MFA hired their first contemporary art curator.

For this special occasion, we dug deep into our archives and plucked out the original article. Relive a little piece of Boston art history for yourself:

Filed Under: Museum of Fine Arts, art, Boston After Dark, Banksy, Alicia Faxon

Museum of Fine Arts

465 Huntington Ave, Mission Hill

Boston grand dame of the visual arts featuring an expensive permanent collection of American and European painting, photographs, musical instruments, several mummies(!), and period furn

| More

Greatest Hits: Whitey Bulger found ... in the Boston Phoenix archives

Meet the Mayor: J.P. Licks (Brigham Circle)

1 Comments

bostoncourier said:

Nice idea, definitely need more attention for the Boston art scene.. good job guys.

Tony <a href="//www.bocsit.com">Bocsit</a>

July 7, 2011 4:03 PM

Name (required)

Your URL (optional)

Comments (required)

Remember Me?

Friends' Activity

Popular

Most Viewed

All Blogs

Outside The Frame (614)
On The Download (3,268)
Phlog (2,039)
Laser Orgy (324)
Sox Blog (142)
Talking Politics (2,004)
PageViews (347)
Dont Quote Me (583)

See more deals

Filed Under: Museum of Fine Arts, art, Boston After Dark, Banksy, Alicia Faxon, Greg Cook, Flashback

boston french film festival at the museum of fine arts in boston

Boston Phoenix
Women take charge at the Boston French Film Festival
Published 7/8/2011 by PETER KEOUGH
La femme est la femme

Boston Phoenix
[live review] Power trio: The Holmes Bros. at the MFA
Published 7/7/2011 by Jon Garelick
Maybe it was because they were especially energized by the hefty Boston Community Choir that opened the show, and by the racially mixed audience they...

more by Nate Homan

The Curious Case of Junk That Eats Junkies: Flesh-rotting drug “krokodil” grips Russia | June 29, 2011

Greatest Hits: Whitey Bulger found ... in the Boston Phoenix archives | June 23, 2011

[Flashback] “Flush with the Walls” MFA art stunt turns 40 | June 23, 2011

[video] Shippin’ The Cup To Boston | June 16, 2011

The Illustrated Animal Collective: Hipster Animals spotted in the Phoenix! | June 15, 2011

See all articles by: Nate Homan

Follow the Phoenix

Latest Comments

[Flashback] “Flush with the Walls” MFA art stunt turns 40 - Nice idea, definitely need more attention for the Boston art scene.. good job guys. Tony <a href="...

By bostoncourier on 07-07-2011 in Phlog

I presume this is from Odd Future’s rendezvous in Boston... - www.youtube.com/watch WOLF HANG WOLF HANG! JESUS SAVES

By Work on 07-07-2011 in Sox Blog

The Skies are Falling! The Skies are Falling! - Totally agree, funny review

By BostonianBiddy44 on 07-07-2011 in Laser Orgy

Q&A #2: Dem Senate Hopefuls - I disagree that the victor will become a national fundraiser. In fact, in my experience, and the experience...

By Awheels on 07-04-2011 in Talking Politics

Q&A #1: State Ethics Rules - I have been trying to obtain information of the sale of country wide stock by the first lady Diane Patrick...

By kevin mcgee on 07-02-2011 in Talking Politics

Latest Comments from Phlog

[Flashback] “Flush with the Walls” MFA art stunt turns 40

1 Comments

bostoncourier said:

Leave a Comment