Federal prosecutors announced charges against nine people in a scheme that spanned two decades and targeted museums, halls of fame and businesses in five states.
They were crazy, cramped, messy and threatening — but the Happenings of the early 60s just might be the missing link between Dada and today’s immersive art.
For centuries, those who eschewed formal training have been either marginalized or obsessed over. Why are we so enthralled by people who create on their own terms?
No longer does museum validation or scholarly attention determine a painting’s value. Now, the collectors’ hunger comes first, and institutions must follow.