Archivio Conz

Bengt af Klintberg (born December 25, 1938, Stockholm, Sweden) is a Swedish folklorist, ethnologist, and artist known for his extensive work on contemporary folklore, particularly urban legends, as well as his contributions to the Fluxus movement. His career has spanned both academic research and avant-garde artistic experimentation, making him a key figure in both disciplines. He studied ethnology and folklore, focusing on oral traditions, myths, and their evolution in modern society. In 1961, he published Ormkungens krona, a collection of prose and poetry that reflected his fascination with folklore. Over the years, his work expanded to examine contemporary myths, leading to the publication of Råttan i pizzan (The Rat in the Pizza, 1986) and Den stulna njuren (The Stolen Kidney, 1994), which analyzed the origins and spread of urban legends. His research was so influential that the term klintbergare was coined in Sweden to refer to widely circulated urban myths. Beyond writing, Klintberg engaged in radio and media, co-hosting Folkminnen ("Folk Memories") on Sweden’s P1, where he invited listeners to share local legends and customs. Running for 750 episodes until 2005, the program played a major role in preserving and discussing Swedish folklore. In the early 1960s, Klintberg became involved in the Fluxus movement, an avant-garde artistic collective that sought to break down traditional distinctions between art forms. He participated in performances and concerts across Europe, including in Düsseldorf, Oslo, and Stockholm, collaborating with leading Fluxus figures. His piece Orangerimusik (1963) exemplifies his experimental approach, merging sound and performance in unconventional ways. His work has been recognized internationally, with pieces housed in the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York. Klintberg's publications include Svenska trollformler (1965), Svenska folksägner (1972), Harens Klagan (1978), Kuttrasju(1998), and Glitterspray (2005), each contributing to the understanding and preservation of folklore. His unique career, bridging academic research and experimental art, continues to influence both folklorists and contemporary artists, ensuring that traditional narratives and avant-garde expressions remain relevant in modern culture. Archivio Conz houses several works by Bengt af Klintberg, including notable collaborations with other artists. Among them is Fluxus Virus 1962–1992 (1992), created alongside Ay-O, Eric Andersen, Henning Christiansen, Philip Corner, Jean Dupuy, Ken Friedman, Al Hansen, Geoffrey Hendricks, Dick Higgins, Joe Jones, Milan Knížák, Alison Knowles, Jackson Mac Low, Larry Miller, Serge III Oldenbourg, Benjamin Patterson, Takako Saito, Mieko Shiomi, Anne Tardos, Ben Vautier, and Yoshimasa Wada. Another significant work in the collection is Hommage à Arthur Köpcke (1979), paying tribute to the influential Fluxus artist.