Allan Kaprow was born into a Jewish family. At an early age, Allan was diagnosed with asthma and was advised to change the climate, so he had to move to Arizona. The childhood of the future artist passed on a remote ranch – in a boarding school, where there were children like he.
1927 - 2006
Allan Kaprow
description
An American artist and theorist, the central figure of the avant-garde of the 60s, the discoverer of the happening – a form of art in which the primary attention is paid to the process of creation. Allan Kaprow appreciated the moment of action in painting, putting it above the result.
The fleeting, often quick and spontaneous actions of Kaprow erase the line between art and everyday life and immerse participants in the work, involving them in the creative process and destroying the notorious “fourth wall” between the work and the audience.
In his theoretical writings, Allan Kaprow said that after the discoveries of Jackson Pollock and other Abstract Expressionists, painting could no longer exist in its original form. It must go beyond the canvas and move into everyday life.
The master called himself “non-artist” and his works “anti-paintings”. “Life is much more interesting than art”, said Kaprow and created events outside galleries and museums: in courtyards, apartments, streets, squares and parking lots. Sometimes his works are even absurd – such as building houses from ice under the scorching California sun; they change the very perception of art and turn everyday life processes into creative acts.
The principles of the creation of happening, which Allan Kaprow outlined in his work “How to Make a Happening”, were enthusiastically accepted by many post-war artists who tried to take a fresh look at modern creative methods. Thanks to the discoveries of the American innovator, such styles as installation, performance and conceptual art were further developed.
Key ideas:
– The artist invented such a form of art as happening, involving the process of spontaneous creation. Unlike the theater, where the actors carefully memorize and rehearse their roles, everything happens in Allan Kaprow’s performances without any planning. Creation is temporary, it quickly ends, and it is difficult, and sometimes even impossible to repeat.
– Art in the understanding of Allan Kaprow should not be static. This is not an item that can be hung on a wall or put on the street. Art is a movement, a process of creation and life itself, which is happening “here and now”. The artist said that a regular walk through the streets of New York could easily turn into a real work and become much more surprising than any famous work.
– The early work of Allan Kaprow is represented mainly by collages and assemblies. He used a wide variety of materials and ready-made objects in his works. Gradually, more and more going beyond the scope of the composition and including the surrounding space, he moved on to creating environmental studies and happenings, which help viewers approach the object of art and become its direct participant.
– The creative method of Allan Kaprow takes its roots in Abstract Expressionism. The energetic and bold style of painting of Pollock, Rothko and other representatives of this art, the lack of sketches, a carefully designed composition and plot, opens up unlimited possibilities for the artist to express himself. At the same time, Kaprow rejected deep psychologism and the complex ideas of Abstract Expressionism. Trying to depict things simple and understandable to everyone, he was close in this to Pop art with its popular images and objects of mass culture, elevated to the rank of a work of art.
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Allan Kaprow was born into a Jewish family
He entered the Hans Hoffmann School of Art in New York
He entered the Hans Hoffmann School of Art in New York. During studies, Kaprow was interested in Abstract Expressionism, especially the painting of the action of Jackson Pollock. He actively explored the artist’s attitude to his work and the process of painting.
He was a student of prominent historian Meyer Schapiro
He was a student of prominent historian Meyer Schapiro, who had a great influence on his perception of art. With the help of Schapiro, Kaprow wrote his master’s thesis, which was devoted to the creative method of Piet Mondrian.
Co-founded the Hansa Gallery in New York
Co-founded the Hansa Gallery in New York. This exhibition space served as a platform for experimental work by Kaprow himself and his colleagues, young American avant-garde artists.
Started teaching at Rutgers University in New Jersey
Started teaching at Rutgers University in New Jersey. Teaching and art history was the main occupation of the artist throughout his career. In the same year, Kaprow met members of the Fluxus group, with whom he worked for several years.
Attended music classes
Attended music classes conducted by avant-garde composer John Cage. According to Kaprow himself, Cage opened up new creative opportunities for him and was one of his best teachers.
“Jackson Pollock’s Legacy”
Wrote an article on Pollock’s creative method. In an essay entitled “Jackson Pollock’s Legacy”, Allan Kaprow first mentions the term “happening”, which means spontaneous action without any scenario, but with certain conditions and tasks.
«Eighteen Happenings in Six Parts»
Became the organizer and participant of the famous happening called Eighteen Happenings in Six Parts. The event took place at Reuben Gallery on Fourth Avenue in New York; apart from Kaprow, such famous people as Robert Rauschenberg, Jasper Jones, Alfred Leslie and others took part in it. The artist began to prepare the exhibition “Allan Kaprow. Words ”, held at the Smolin Gallery (New York) in 1962.
«How to Make a Happening»
The work “How to Make a Happening” was published; the artist outlined the basic principles of his method. This work became fundamental to the development of installation, performance and conceptual art.
The solo exhibitions
His solo exhibitions were held at the Pasadena Art Museum, Washington University, (St. Louis), University of Texas (Austin). By the end of the 60s, Kaprow ceased to position himself as an artist working in the field of happening and environmentalism. He believed that this concept became too widespread and was misunderstood by the public losing its original purpose.
He moved to San Diego
He moved to San Diego with his family. There, the artist began teaching at the University of California. Kaprow no longer created happenings involving a large number of people but focused on mini-performances for several people.
Three major solo exhibitions
Three major solo exhibitions of the artist took place in Los Angeles, Berlin and Bremen. Carried away by Zen philosophy, the artist began to pay more attention to simple everyday actions.
«Essays on the Blurring of Art and Life»
The book “Essays on the Blurring of Art and Life” was published; it collected most of Allan Kaprow’s works on art. The materials were collected by Jeff Kelly, a long-term partner and editor of the artist.
“A Short History of Performance. Part III. Allan Kaprow”
Screening “A Short History of Performance. Part III. Allan Kaprow” took place in London (Whitechapel Art Gallery); the opening day “Hauser & Wirth” was held in Zurich. They became the last lifetime exhibitions of the artist.
The death of the artist
Allan Kaprow died on April 5, 2006 in Encinitas, California, the USA
Allan Kaprow
On Artist
flow
Futurism
Dada
Abstract expressionism
friends
Wolf Kahn
John Cage
Hans Hoffmann
Meyer Shapiro
artists
Marcel Duchamp
Jackson Pollock
Yves Klein
By Artist
flow
Performance
Happening
friends
Roy Lichtenstein
George Segal
artists
Jim Dine
Yoko Ono
Klas Oldenburg
Dick Higgins
Damien Hirst
Suzanne Lacy
Marina Abramovich