Ben Vautier

(French, born 1935)

Ben Vautier is a French artist known for his text-based paintings, such as L'art est inutile. Rentrez chez vous (Art is Useless. Go Home) (1971). Vautier’s Fluxus works circled around defining art as a practice that unifies life, objects, and philosophy. “What is culture? Culture is a fairytale that we have created. It can be manipulative,” he has explained. “The purpose of culture is to amuse poor people and rich people alike.” Born Benjamin Vautier on July 18, 1935 in Naples, Italy, he moved with his mother to the South of France in 1949. In 1958, Vautier left his job at a book store and opened a stationary and record store. He ran Laboratory 32 (Le Magasin), from 1958 to 1973, creating a salon-like meeting place for people to discuss new ideas. During this time, Vautier met Yves Klein, John Cage, and George Macunias, becoming involved in the early stages of the Fluxus art movement. The artist continued producing work surrounding everyday life over the following decades, while also working as an advocate for minority rights in France. He continues to live and work in Nice, France. Today, Vautier’s works are held in the collections of The Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, the Centre George Pompidou in Paris, and the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, among others.

Ben Vautier Artworks

Artworks for Sale &
Auction Results

Ben Vautier (2,282 results)
Stillleben mit roten und weissen Rosen, 1958

Ben Vautier

Stillleben mit roten und weissen Rosen, 1958

Sale Date: November 10, 2007

Auction Closed

Ben is the most important artist at..., 1972

Ben Vautier

Ben is the most important artist at..., 1972

Sale Date: October 19, 2007

Auction Closed

Sono Angosciato - Rougeur angoisse, 1978

Ben Vautier

Sono Angosciato - Rougeur angoisse, 1978

Sale Date: October 19, 2007

Auction Closed

Etre libre, 1991

Ben Vautier

Etre libre, 1991

Sale Date: October 19, 2007

Auction Closed

ART ABC, 1984

Ben Vautier

ART ABC, 1984

Sale Date: October 19, 2007

Auction Closed

In vino veritas, 2004

Ben Vautier

In vino veritas, 2004

Sale Date: October 21, 2007

Auction Closed

Elle couche avec un autre, 1998

Ben Vautier

Elle couche avec un autre, 1998

Sale Date: October 21, 2007

Auction Closed

Where is art? What is art? Who is art, 1993

Ben Vautier

Where is art? What is art? Who is art, 1993

Sale Date: October 23, 2007

Auction Closed

Je coule, Venize coule je coule aussi

Ben Vautier

Je coule, Venize coule je coule aussi

Sale Date: October 23, 2007

Auction Closed

Sylvana

Ben Vautier

Sylvana

Sale Date: October 5, 2007

Auction Closed

La mode me bassine, 1987

Ben Vautier

La mode me bassine, 1987

Sale Date: October 6, 2007

Auction Closed

L'Art fait mal - Bat art - Pour..., 1985

Ben Vautier

L'Art fait mal - Bat art - Pour..., 1985

Sale Date: October 6, 2007

Auction Closed

A box with no ideas, 1978

Ben Vautier

A box with no ideas, 1978

Sale Date: August 5, 2007

Auction Closed

Porte-manteau, 1986

Ben Vautier

Porte-manteau, 1986

Sale Date: August 5, 2007

Auction Closed

Sans titre, 1970

Ben Vautier

Sans titre, 1970

Sale Date: August 5, 2007

Auction Closed

Geste: me peindre, 1961–1972

Ben Vautier

Geste: me peindre, 1961–1972

Sale Date: August 5, 2007

Auction Closed

Si cette assiette se casse, c'est pas grave, 2000

Ben Vautier

Si cette assiette se casse, c'est pas grave, 2000

Sale Date: July 11, 2007

Auction Closed

Le plat en creux, 1995

Ben Vautier

Le plat en creux, 1995

Sale Date: July 8, 2007

Auction Closed

A propos d'assiettes (set of 6)

Ben Vautier

A propos d'assiettes (set of 6)

Sale Date: June 27, 2007

Auction Closed

1 kg 100g kunst, 1986

Ben Vautier

1 kg 100g kunst, 1986

Sale Date: June 24, 2007

Auction Closed

No more art, 1985

Ben Vautier

No more art, 1985

Sale Date: June 28, 2007

Auction Closed

Le temps qui passe ne s'arrête jamais

Ben Vautier

Le temps qui passe ne s'arrête jamais

Sale Date: June 21, 2007

Auction Closed

Produit inutile (écriture rouge sur fond noir)

Ben Vautier

Produit inutile (écriture rouge sur fond noir)

Sale Date: June 22, 2007

Auction Closed

C'est peut être pas de l'art mais manger quand...

Ben Vautier

C'est peut être pas de l'art mais manger quand...

Sale Date: June 18, 2007

Auction Closed

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