Allan Kaprow

(American, 1927–2006)

Allan Kaprow was a pioneering American installation and performance artist known for his Happenings and his contributions to the Fluxus movement. Happenings, a form of performance art Kaprow created and theorized about, focused on audience engagement as an integral component of the work. “The everyday world is the most astonishing inspiration conceivable,” he said. “A walk down 14th Street is more amazing than any masterpiece of art.” Born on August 23, 1927 in Atlantic City, NJ. Kaprow was influenced by his professor Hans Hoffman, who introduced him to other artists such as Jackson Pollock. Pollock’s highly physical painting process inspired Kaprow’s later theories. His influential book Essays on the Blurring of Art and Life, extrapolates on Happenings and his personal philosophies regarding an art practice. Kaprow’s anti-art stance is demonstrated in his work Yard (1961), in which he created a junkyard full of tires in the back of a Manhattan gallery. The audience then walked around the junkyard, confused as to whether the work was garbage or a work of art—specifically as Kaprow intended. He died on April 5, 2006 in Encinitas, CA. Today, he remains an iconic artist whose work and theories shaped installation and performance art.

Allan Kaprow News

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Art & Exhibitions

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Allan Kaprow Artworks

Allan Kaprow (54 results)

George Washington Bridge (front view), 1955

Allan Kaprow

George Washington Bridge (front view), 1955

Price on Request

The Happening, 1964

Allan Kaprow

The Happening, 1964

Alpha 137 Gallery

Price on Request

Abstraction, 1952

Allan Kaprow

Abstraction, 1952

Price on Request

“Tree” (Happening Poster), 1965

Allan Kaprow

“Tree” (Happening Poster), 1965

2,000 USD

Calling, 1965

Allan Kaprow

Calling, 1965

2,000 USD

Sunset Blvd, 1955

Allan Kaprow

Sunset Blvd, 1955

Sale Date: June 29, 2023

Auction Closed

The mille-feuilles desert Napoleon's cavie, 1998

Allan Kaprow

The mille-feuilles desert Napoleon's cavie, 1998

Sale Date: April 18, 2023

Auction Closed

You.DecollageHappening.Vo…, 1964

Allan Kaprow

You.DecollageHappening.Vo…, 1964

Sale Date: March 15, 2023

Auction Closed

Apple shine

Allan Kaprow

Sale Date: December 14, 2022

Auction Closed

Ohne Titel, 1981

Allan Kaprow

Ohne Titel, 1981

Sale Date: June 1, 2022

Auction Closed

Days Off, Calendar of Happenings..., 1970

Allan Kaprow

Days Off, Calendar of Happenings..., 1970

Sale Date: February 18, 2021

Auction Closed

Days off. A calendar of happenings, 1970

Allan Kaprow

Days off. A calendar of happenings, 1970

Sale Date: December 3, 2020

Auction Closed

Untitled., 1955

Allan Kaprow

Untitled., 1955

Sale Date: December 3, 2020

Auction Closed

Sunset Blvd, 1955

Allan Kaprow

Sunset Blvd, 1955

Sale Date: September 19, 2019

Auction Closed

Trees, 1965

Allan Kaprow

Sale Date: April 24, 2018

Auction Closed

A small collection of works, 1960

Allan Kaprow

A small collection of works, 1960

Sale Date: November 16, 2017

Auction Closed

Weiblicher Akt, auf einem Stuhl sitzend, 1954

Allan Kaprow

Weiblicher Akt, auf einem Stuhl sitzend, 1954

Sale Date: December 10, 2016

Auction Closed

A three city happening by Allan Kaprow…New..., 1966

Allan Kaprow

A three city happening by Allan Kaprow…New..., 1966

Sale Date: November 17, 2016

Auction Closed

Fresh Air, 1989

Allan Kaprow

Fresh Air, 1989

Sale Date: November 19, 2016

Auction Closed

Trees and Calling (two works), 1964

Allan Kaprow

Trees and Calling (two works), 1964

Sale Date: June 23, 2016

Auction Closed

Yard (from the Readymade Boomerang portfolio), 1990

Allan Kaprow

Yard (from the Readymade Boomerang portfolio), 1990

Sale Date: June 23, 2016

Auction Closed

Moving (Days Off : A Calendar of..., 1967–1968

Allan Kaprow

Moving (Days Off : A Calendar of..., 1967–1968

Sale Date: June 10, 2016

Auction Closed

Tires Totem, 1994

Allan Kaprow

Tires Totem, 1994

Sale Date: June 8, 2016

Auction Closed

Untitled, 1954

Allan Kaprow

Untitled, 1954

Sale Date: December 3, 2015

Auction Closed

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English (US)

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