happening

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happening

The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition | 2008 | The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Copyright 2008 Columbia University Press. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

happening an artistic event of a theatrical nature, but usually improvised spontaneously without the framework of a plot. The term originated with the creation and performance in 1959 of Allan Kaprow's "18 Happenings in 6 Parts." This work emphasized various sorts of performances and experiences, including slide projection, dance, and taste and odor sensations. Many examples of the genre required audience participation, and the aesthetic effect produced was a result of the combination of events experienced. Celebrated happenings include Claes Oldenburg 's "Store" (1961), "Autobodies" (1963), and "Washes" (1965); Robert Rauschenberg 's "Map Room II" (1965); Robert Whitman's "The American Moon" (1960); and Kaprow's own "Calling" (1965).

Bibliography: See RoseLee Goldberg, Performance Art: From Futurism to the Present (1988) and R. E. Haywood, Revolution of the Ordinary: Allen Kaprow and the Invention of Happenings (1993).

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happening

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English | 2009 | © The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English 2009, originally published by Oxford University Press 2009. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

hap·pen·ing / ˈhap(ə)ning/ • n. 1. an event or occurrence: altogether it was an eerie happening. ∎  a noteworthy or exciting event: an all-star, superstar, megastar happening. 2. a partly improvised or spontaneous piece of theatrical or other artistic performance, typically involving audience participation: a multimedia happening. • adj. inf. fashionable; trendy: nightclubs for the young are the happening thing.

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Happening

The Concise Oxford Companion to the Theatre | 1996 | | © The Concise Oxford Companion to the Theatre 1996, originally published by Oxford University Press 1996. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

Happening, form of theatrical or artistic expression which is presumed to take the actors, as well as the audience, by surprise. It can also take place, usually for propaganda purposes, in the street or at a meeting. Though some groups, notably the Living Theatre, were influenced by it, the phenomenon was a transient one.

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PHYLLIS HARTNOLL and PETER FOUND. "Happening." The Concise Oxford Companion to the Theatre. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 24 Nov. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

PHYLLIS HARTNOLL and PETER FOUND. "Happening." The Concise Oxford Companion to the Theatre. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (November 24, 2009). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O79-Happening.html

PHYLLIS HARTNOLL and PETER FOUND. "Happening." The Concise Oxford Companion to the Theatre. 1996. Retrieved November 24, 2009 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O79-Happening.html

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

Free Article 'Happening' shocks, then bores
News Wire article from: AP Worldstream; 6/13/2008
Free Article Qui a provoque le scandale -- : la tactique du happening selon Beuys et Fluxus: Festival der neuen Kunst.
Magazine article from: Etc. Montreal; 6/1/2001
Free Article Film review: 'Happening' shocks, then bores
News Wire article from: AP Online; 6/12/2008

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What on earth's happening
Newspaper article from: The Scotsman; 5/27/2008; ; 700+ words ; ...have already bought tickets. Is this what's happening with The Happening, the new film from M Night Shyamalan, the man...they'd spoil the surprise. The trailers for The Happening are certainly mysterious. For some inexplicable...
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Magazine article from: Northeast Pennsylvania Business Journal; 6/1/2008; ; 578 words ; ...Business Journal are pleased to announce Happenings magazine as the June Small Business...Small Business Spotlight committee chose Happenings magazine for their participation with...community organizations and events. Happenings magazine began in 1969 with a mission...
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Transcript from: NPR Weekend All Things Considered; 6/14/2008; ; 692 words ; ...Things Considered 06-14-2008 'The Happening': Something Wicked in the Wind? Host...The Sixth Sense." It's called "The Happening," and our critic, Bob Mondello, promises...motionless. (Soundbite of movie, "The Happening") Unidentified Woman (Actress...
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Newspaper article from: Evening Gazette (Middlesbrough, England); 6/25/2009; 700+ words ; ...supplement is your guide to all that's happening, featuring listings and advice on how...Tees Valley with the re-launch of the Happening Pass, featuring brand new offers and...outlets, hotels and restaurants. The Happening Pass is part of visitTeesvalley's new...
What's happening when it looks like nothing
Newspaper article from: Beacon News, The (Aurora, IL); 5/22/2005; ; 700+ words ; ...predict when you will feel like nothing is happening. Experience and knowledge do not make...immune to this frustration. What is happening with that retaining wall in my back yard...will notice the frustration of nothing happening is during the drywall phase. This is...
What's Happening? Some shock, more yawn
Newspaper article from: Winnipeg Free Press; 6/13/2008; ; 700+ words ; ...David Germain For a movie called The Happening, not much happens. M. Night Shyamalan...horrors of the world at large. In The Happening, those horrors land abruptly and mysteriously...ahead of the toxin. From here, The Happening deflates from its grisly, early promise...
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Newspaper article from: The Boston Herald; 6/13/2008; ; 700+ words ; Byline: JAMES VERNIERE THE HAPPENING Rated R. At AMC Loews Boston Common...Grade: C- After sitting through The Happening, a Fox release being marketed as...just watch the TV trailers. The Happening is a shocker that has given away...
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Newspaper article from: Seattle Post-Intelligencer (Seattle, WA); 6/13/2008; ; 700+ words ; ...fantasy, M. Night Shyamalan's The Happening is something different - and a pleasant...premise and the suggestion of what's happening off screen to raise the hair on the backs...Philadelphia, where we begin to experience the happening through the eyes of a high school science...
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Newspaper article from: The Journal (Newcastle, England); 7/26/2003; 666 words ; Byline: By Liz Hands "Hexham is Happening" wasn't ... well ... happening yesterday. The tourism drive with the catchy...lack of funding. Until yesterday, Hexham is Happening, due to start today, was still being advertised...
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News Wire article from: AP Worldstream; 6/13/2008; ; 700+ words ; For a movie called The Happening, not much happens. M. Night Shyamalan...horrors of the world at large. In The Happening, those horrors land abruptly and...ahead of the toxin. From here, The Happening deflates from its grisly, early promise...

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