John Dugger, an American artist, who passed away at the age of 74, was an influential figure in the avant-garde art scene in London. He co-founded the radical Artists Liberation Front and Artists for Democracy, and was known for his early exploration of participatory art. One of his notable works was the People’s Participation Pavilion, which was constructed for Documenta 5 in Kassel in 1972. Dugger was also a pioneer of political banners, which he regarded as a precursor to modern-day social media.
In 1974, Dugger created the banner “Chile Vencerá” (meaning “Chile will win”), which was displayed on Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square. This banner was made for a rally organized by British trade unions and the Chilean Solidarity Campaign to protest against the military coup in Chile the previous year. Another one of his banners, “A Vitória É Certa” (meaning “Victory is certain”), celebrated the founding of the People’s Republic of Angola and was shown in California, with members of the Black Panthers posing in front of it.
Born in Los Angeles, Dugger grew up in a family with a military background. After completing his education at the Gilmore Art Institute and the Art Institute of Chicago, he moved to New York and eventually settled in London. There, he joined the Exploding Galaxy collective and collaborated with Filipino artist David Medalla on anti-Vietnam war performances and audience-participation events. They later traveled to Africa, India, and southeast Asia to study popular art forms.
In 1970, Dugger met Brazilian artist Lygia Clark and developed his ideas on participatory art further. His manifesto, The Ergonic Messenger, outlined his belief in combining cosmic and social consciousness. His sculptures, known as Perennials, were designed to be interacted with by spectators, unfolding like flowers in a cycle of growth.
Dugger’s work gained recognition, and he was included in the Pioneers of Part-Art exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art, Oxford in 1971. He continued to explore participatory art through installations such as his Biomass Installation, which allowed visitors to engage with his sculptures. However, due to over-enthusiastic handling of the artworks by viewers, Dugger and his fellow artists decided to withdraw their works.
In 1972, Dugger visited China during the Cultural Revolution, which influenced his perspective on art as a means of social participation. He wore a Chinese worker’s cap and jacket and incorporated these elements into his artistic practice. His 1974 exhibition, titled “People Weave a House!” at the ICA in London, invited viewers to construct structures inspired by Vietnamese village buildings using transparent plastic tubing.
Dugger’s involvement in political activism led him to collaborate with Chilean artist Cecilia Vicuña and establish Artists for Democracy (AFD). They organized the Arts Festival for Democracy in Chile in 1974, which aimed to support anti-imperialist struggles. Dugger created his iconic “Chile Vencerá” banner for this event, incorporating elements of French modernism and illustrations depicting the labor and sacrifice of Chilean workers.
Later in his career, Dugger founded Banner Arts Studio in 1976, which accepted professional commissions and created art pieces for various clients, including prestigious institutions like the House of Commons and Buckingham Palace. He relocated the studio to San Francisco in 1988 but maintained connections with London, pursuing further education and exhibiting his artwork.
John Dugger’s banners are now part of public collections, including Tate, the Government Art Collection, and Arts Council England. He is survived by his wife, Tsering Lhakey, and stepdaughter, Tsering Dolker, as well as his brother, Robert. John Scott Dugger, an artist who left a lasting impact on the world of participatory art, was born on July 18, 1948, and passed away on May 31, 2023.
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