UNE PORTE CLEF CONTENANT "CONTENU" DE SERGE III
A key ring containing "content" by Serge III

UNE PORTE CLEF CONTENANT "CONTENU" DE SERGE III
A key ring containing "content" by Serge III

A key ring whose fob contains a single hexagonal nut sealed permanently inside clear perspex. It is visible but entirely inaccessible. The title's use of "contenu" exploits a deliberate bilingual pun: the nut is the content (contenu) and is also contained (contenu) held, enclosed, restrained. A key ring that cannot carry a key to anything; a container whose content is the condition of being contained. Consistent with Serge III's practice of radical inaccessibility and caustic wordplay, and with his broader involvement in the Niçois Fluxus and Art Total network centred on Ben Vautier's work.

Serge III (Serge Oldenbourg, French, 1927–2000)

Created by Serge III Oldenbourg, Niçois Fluxus artist and close associate of Ben Vautier

Metal split-ring key ring attached with a short metal chain to a clear rectangular acrylic/perspex fob; single hexagonal metal nut encased and sealed permanently within the perspex

Artist multiple; Fluxus object; realia