A basic presentation about Allan Kaprow and his happenings, "Fluids" in particular

1. Allan Kaprow
By Noel Johnson

2. His Happenings
• What is a happening?
A happening is a form of performance art in which, even though
parts are still well planned, the outside world and audience are
welcome to intervene in the outcome of the piece. Allan Kaprow
was the artist who originally coined this term and it is a facet of art
heavily influenced by and have influence the Fluxus movement in
the 1960’s. However, the unfortunate thing about Happenings is that
they are non-objects, meaning they are incredibly difficult the
document, explaining why Allan Kaprow is on of the most under
remembered huge influences in the art world today.

3. Fluids: Analysis and Summary
• Summary:
• Fluids was originally executed in 1967 in California. Kaprow, with the
help of volunteers, erected wall-like structures composed of ice blocks
and, once finished, left them to live out their existence in that public
space. Fluids has been recreated several times throughout the years,
helping reinforce its meaning.
• Analysis:
Fluids covers the concept of human interactions. It can be seen as a
negative interaction as the subject of the art is a wall, or it an be seen as
a positive interaction if the blocks are viewed as individuals bound
together to withstand the elements as a whole rather than smaller pieces.

7. Reference Links
• http://stadt-bild.berlin/wp-
content/uploads/Fluids_Nationalgalerie_en_150723.pdf
• http://www.tate.org.uk/context-comment/blogs/performance-
art-101-happening-allan-kaprow
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allan_Kaprow