Essays on the Blurring of Art and Life (Lannan Series) by Allan Kaprow

by Allan Kaprow

Allan Kaprow's 'Happenings' and 'Environments' prefigured contemporary performance art, and his essays are some of the most thoughtful, provocative, and influential of his generation. Kaprow's sustained philosophical inquiry into the paradoxical relationship of art to life and into the nature of meaning itself is brought into focus in this collection of his most significant writings.

Genres: Art, Essays, Nonfiction, Art History, Walking, Cultural

Paperback

First published October 4, 1993

Reviews

[Megan Mcdowell · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book from the "father of happenings" starts out feeling a bit dated, but after the second or third essay it all begins to feel timely and still relevant, and finally exciting.

[Anh Thuy · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Legacy of Jackson Pollock" is seriously a magnum opus, both mournful for the death of Pollock, and yet affirmatively hopeful for the age of art as Happening. The fact that I wasn't forced to read this essay sooner than the end of my Master degree was a sound proof of my terrible education. Contemporary and performance artists who haven't read this should feel shame!

[George Bieber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought provoking, inspiring observations about art and artists.

[Héctor · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just revised my star rating up to 'amazing' because I can't get this book out of my head. It's just... well... amazing. As the title says, it's a collection of essays, arranged by decade. These cover a range of topics, including artists such as Jackson Pollock, the Happenings, and the development of Kaprow's particular view of DIY performance art. Pretty much all the essays are very interesting, with many for me containing serious 'ah-ha!' moments. I'm sure I'll be coming back to this book again and again.

But the absolute best thing about this book? It's one of the best-written books I've read in ever so long. Really just beautifully written. Clear and elegant and well argued and just a joy to read. I don't think I had a single one of those moments when you end up reading the same paragraph over and over and over again because either you could not for the life of you work out what the author is trying to say, or simply because you were so bored by the language that you couldn't take it in. This book is fascinating subject matter hand-in-hand with elegant, clear prose.

[AdultNonFiction Teton County Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Teton county Library call number 700.973 Kaprow
Suzanne's rating 4 stars, on a good day

What can I say about Allan Kaprow? He's a hero for artists that respect the work of this innovative artist with his involvement in the birth of "happenings" and performance art. Lately I've been seeing in the art circles more references to Kaprow-esque terms a few scattered artists are even calling their time and participatory work as "activities" definitely paying homage to Kaprow.

As for reading books like this, they work well for me when I'm having a bit of insomnia. While not my total area, I thought it was a swell review of events in essay form surveying the 50s through the 90s in essay form. Great historical work and could be fuel for present art practice or those enthusiasts of the artworld.

[Kevin McDonagh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating Essays which clearly show how over the course of his life Allan Kaprow grappled with the none too easy task of continually clarifying 'Happenings' and their place in Art for both himself and the spectator. Ironically they lose something through description as his Artistic vocabulary was constrained by the times while being urged to evolve and explain his work into an increasingly systematic approach.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must say it is extraordinary in its approach and innovation, and in its resonance with me. As I borrowed it from the library (now, just ordered it from Amazon), I look 8 pages of notes!

The whole concept of "nonart art" and moving beyond the gallery and museum--removing the separation of "art" from "life"--feels so alive.

[Michael Dipietro · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've only read one essay from this book thus far and it seems very promising. Kaprow's writing is wonderful to read and insightful - he's extremely self-aware of his own ideas and how they play out in the society around him. You can tell that he loves reading Artaud as much as the back of Jiffy cake mix.

[lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

an amazing read — and such a fantastic progression of thought about artlike art and lifelike art and Kaprow's progression from art back into life, or from artlike art back into life, like art

i want to buy this book and read it again and reference it for any future analysis, research and writings into cyberSurrealism

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear Mr A Kaprow,

I've finished reading your book and what a great journey it was. Thanks for your ideas, love / hate of art and the urge you had to share it with others. I think I'll be referring to your text for a long time to come.

Warmest Regards,

K Walker

[Andrew]

Bought this a long time ago, read it then and recently thumbed through again. Better than I remembered, and actually very enjoyable.

[sara manente · Rating 4 out of 5]

a book of good recepis

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Revisiting)



Dear Thesis,
I'm on my way to you, baby!
Yours,
Penny

[Kathy Augustine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kaprow's account of his Happenings gives insight into how art and life merge in our every day experiences. Read this book and you will look at the world in a whole new way!

[Robb Todd]

Found this book on a coffee table in my college library. Flipped through it and had a mind explosion. The hole in a doughnut, man. THE HOLE IN A DOUGHNUT!

[Chay Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This still remains the best resource on Kaprow. No one offers more insight into his practice than the man himself.