Allan Kaprow

Allan Kaprow

Allan Kaprow was one of the most influential artists of the 1960's. His performance pieces that he coined as "Happenings" became an integral part of the Fluxus movement that influenced other important artists like Nam June Paik. This term "happening" is in reference to the nature of his performance art. A "Happening" occurs when specific parts are planned, such as lighting and subject matter, and others parts are largely affected by outside influences, such as audience interaction. The Happening that I particularly focus on in the following presentation is "Fluids". "Fluids" was performed in California in 1967. Kaprow, with the help of volunteers, built several walls composed of ice blocks within public space then left them to their own facilities. The walls consequently melted overtime. This piece is a metaphor for our human need to bond together as a society in order withstand circumstances out of reach of our control. The fact that the blocks are composed of water, the most common element within our bodies, shows their metaphorical representation of individual human beings. Once these individual blocks are joined together they make up a much greater, stronger, and more beautiful whole. However, there is a melancholy tinge to this meaning as well. The walls will inevitably melt, despite their conjoined strength. This action is a metaphor for how, no matter how hard humanit tries, nature will always come out triumphant with time.

Allan kaprow from Noel Johnson