2. A Biography of Allan Kaprow
»Born in Atlantic City, New Jersey 1927
»1947 - 48 studied at Hans Hoffmann painting school
» He founded a gallery called the Hansa Gallery with students from
the school
»In the late fifties and predominantly through out the sixties he
pioneered the movement Happenings
»He was also a teacher, teaching at ; 1953 - 56 Rutgers Uni
1960 - 61 Pratt Institute
1961 - 66 State Uni of New York
1966 California Institute of Art
and the University of California
»In his most recent work he began to study non verbal behavior as
well as looking at the structure of the brain and how these findings
can be applied to performance
»Died of natural causes in 2006
3. The Early Art of Kaprow
In his early art work Kaprow was
extremely interested in abstract
impressionism, his painting style was
described as expressive and highly
spirited style of action painting. These
works were based on landscapes and
the figure. He developed this style
under the guidance of Hans
Hoffmann.
Later he moved into collage with
multimedia. These developed into 3d
installations he labeled as “action
collages”. Environments that the
viewer could interact with, moving
around and within, touching even
moving.
These “Action Collages” were the base for
what he did next…
4. Happenings
A Happening is a continuation from Action Environments. They are
an event to bring the audience and objects together, they are set
up in unconventional spaces like empty lofts, on the streets, in
cellars. This made them appear spontaneous, random actions
and sequences. Although many were rehearsed or participants
had instructions. Each one is related to the every day world.
The term happenings was adopted after ‘18 happenings in 6 parts’ a
piece at the Reuben Gallery, New York by Kaprow. In this piece
Kaprow had devided the space into three parts divided by clear
plastic walls. The visitors were directed to specific seats at
specific times and would see a girl squeezing oranges and an
orchestra of toy instruments as well as other things. Although
scripted and rehearsed they still seemed spontaneous.
There are six types of Happenings; the nightclub/ cock fight/ pocket
drama, the extravaganza, the event, the guided tour/ pied piper,
the idea/ suggestion and finally the activity.
5. The Nightclub or Cock Fight
Happening
This kind of Happening would
involve small audiences
meeting in lofts or studios.
They would be close to the
action. It may be a couple
having sex or destroying
furniture, music or spoken
word might be played. A
sense of intimacy would be
key throughout these shows.
6. The Extravaganza Happening
Held on a stage and performed to a large
audience, Extravaganza is a type of
happening that draws on all areas of modern
art from dancers, actors and poets to
musicians and painters. There is also a more
familiar feel with extravaganza created for
the audience as the general approach is
mote light hearted.
7. The Event Happening
Again usually situated in a theatre on a stage,
the audience watches a small event such as
a light switching on and off or a repeated
event like a man walking back and forth
across a stage or repeating the same two
words over and over.
8. The Guided Tour / Pied Piper
The Guided Tour / Pied Piper
Happening is more selected.
There are usually no
spectators at these events,
they are held either outdoors
in parks or the country side,
around the city or through
buildings and shops. All who
are involved are given
instructions but are free and
encouraged to observe and
discover what is going on
around them.
9. The Idea / Suggestion Happening
This is almost completely in the mind.
Usually written down as a note such as;
“Fill a glass of water for two days”; “red
shoes”; “He has a Beard”. These can
be enacted but usually won’t be. This is
particularly inspired by Duchamp and
the idea that art is in the mind of the
beholder; a thought is as valuable as an
action.
10. The Activity Happening
There is intention with this
Happening to break away
from theatre and audience
but instead to get
participants to become
involved with the situation
and the situation become
part of the every day routine.
These Happenings feed off
ceremonies, political
demonstrations and war
games
11. Inspiration
Surrealism, dada, abstract
impressionism.
Jackson Pollock because he broke
away from the conventions of
painting,
Marcel Duchamp Because he made
every day objects ‘into art’ and he
believed art is in the mind of the
beholder.
John Cage because he was inventive in
his music styles and broke away
from the conventions of how to play
musical instruments.
12. Same Time Different Places. (other artists
working in the same movement at the time)
»America: Robert Raushchenburg,
Claesoldenburg, Jim Dine.
»Europe: Wolf Vostell and the Fluxus
group.
»Japan: The Gutai group
13. Kaprow’s Influence Today
The effects of Kaprows work on todays Performances; we
believe Kaprow’s Happenings opened the door to
audience participation in theatre and installation art.
Such as audiences that move around the set whilst the
play is going on, open air theatre or even as simple as
audiences shouting out or being pulled onto stage for
pantomimes. The use of strange locations to host
performances is also something that has come out of
the Happenings movement.
14. Bibliography
Websites;
www.medienkunstnetz.de www.signonsandiego.com
www.artedho.com www.ucpress.edu
www.brooklynrail.org www.anonymouse.org
www.comm.unt.edu www.geocities.com
www.artfacts.net
Books;
Essays on the blurring of art and life. Allan Kaprow. Edited by Jeff
Kelley.
Assemblage, Environments and Happenings. Allan Kaprow
