Performance: "Happenings" inspired by Alan Kaprow

Post Contributed by Ally Bernstein, Teaching Assistant

For Ms. Bernstein's lesson during our performance themed week, we visited the art historical tradition of performance art. We specifically learned about artist Allan Kaprow, who is associated with the avant-garde group Fluxus and considered to be a pioneer of the movement.

In the late 1950s, Kaprow created "Happenings" in his New York apartment. These "Happenings" consisted of instructions written on cards which were then given to participants to perform. The instructions are considered part of the artwork, as is the performance.  Happenings often feel like a game - the translation from written script (or "score," as the group Fluxus would call it) to movement and performance was often unexpected.

Ms. Bernstein first demonstrated the concept by calling on volunteers to read and follow instructions from "scores" of her own creation. The instructions were fairly simple, including "Shake the hands of three audience members" and "Sit down, cough 10 times, and then get up." Beye Discovery students were quite creative inventing their own instructions, and the Happenings were performed in front of a rapt audience of their peers. Some students performed their own Happenings, while others asked classmates to follow the given instructions.

Jessica performing Ms. Bernstein's "score", shaking hands with a student

Jessica continuing the score above, shaking hands with a 2nd student

Norah performing Ms. Bernstein's 2nd score, read by Jessica

Ethan performing a classmate's score

Lucy's score on left: "Do you have 4 arms?" Score on right: "I can see a flower"

Joey perform's Lucy's score: "Do you have 4 arms?"

Joey performs Lucy's score: "I can see a flower" (first motion)

Joey performing Lucy's score: "I can see a flower" (second motion)

Ethan performs a Happening to a rapt audience

Ethan

The performances were hilarious and sometimes baffling, yet Beye Discovery's written "scores" are also fascinating to look at. Some students chose to give specific instructions for their performers, while others created abstract directions that were more open to interpretation.

score: "erase this paper, this is great, turn this page"

Joey's top score:" pound your chest like a gorilla". Bottom score: "pat head and rub belly, then sit down"

Score: Yell "I love you!"

score: "run to the table, eat your leftovers, sit down"

On left: an in-depth score. On right: "play frog jump with your family and friends"

Making this type of performance art reminds us that artmaking doesn't need to be a solitary pursuit, nor does it need to be "static". If you are looking for a fun family activity on a snowy, frigid winter day or evening (or maybe at your next block party), this is it!