ALLAN KAPROW (b. 1927, Atlantic City, NJ; d. 2006, Encinitas, CA) Kaprow was an influential performance artist, theorist, and writer. He sought to blur the boundary between art and life, most notably through his “happenings.” These unscripted solo or multi-person performances were left open to chance and improvisation and generally took place outside of traditional art and theater spaces. Museums that have held solo exhibitions of his work include Museo Novecento, Florence, Italy (2020); Staatsgalerie Stuttgart, Germany (2014); n.b.k. Neuer Berliner Kunstverein, Berlin, Germany (2012); Tate Modern, London, England and The Geffen Contemporary at Museum of Contemporary Art LA, Los Angeles, CA (both 2008); Van Abbemuseum, Eindhoven, The Netherlands, Kunsthalle Bern, Bern, Switzerland, and Museo d’Arte Contemporanea di Villa Croce, Genoa, Italy (all 2007); Haus der Kunst, Munich, Germany (2006); Whitechapel Gallery, London, England (2005); Galerie Beaubourg / Centre Georges Pompidou, Musée National d’Art Moderne, Paris, France (1994); Museum am Ostwall, Dortmund, Germany (1986); University of Northern Iowa Museum, Cedar Falls, IA (1978); and Kunsthalle Bremen, Bremen, Germany and Institute of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA (both 1976). Kaprow earned his BA in philosophy and art history at New York University, New York, NY (1949), studied at the Hans Hofmann School of Fine Arts, New York, NY (1947–48), received an MA in art history from Columbia University, New York, NY (1952), and took classes in music composition with composer John Cage at the New School for Social Research, New York, NY (1957–59). In addition to his work on view that is part of the University at Albany Fine Art Collections, Kaprow performed a happening titled Round Trip at the University at Albany in 1968.
–Body Maps: Works from the University at Albany Fine Art Collections in Conversation with Past Exhibiting Artists