[Simon Vinkenoog] Open-het-graf

Happening organized by Melvin Clay, Frank Stern & Simon Vinkenoog. Original poster, 57.5 x 40.5 cm., with photomontage illustration, n.pl., n.d. (Amsterdam, 1962).

Poor copy with folds, tape on verso, drawing pin holes in corners etc. Poster for the first happening in Amsterdam, 9 December 1962, also listing Jan Cremer and Donald Jones as "Handlangers". "Het eren van de doden, de ter dood veroordeelden en te doden doden" was the theme for the first real happening in Amsterdam on 9 December 1962. The title 'Open het graf' was a response to the passing of Princess Wilhelmina and the television fundraiser 'Open het dorp' by Mies Bouwman. The happening was a more or less improvised art project with a 'Shrine for Marilyn Monroe', a 'Danse Macabre' and 'Kiss of Death'. Previous happenings had taken place in America, Paris and London. Simon Vinkenoog, one of the organisers, places 'Open het graf' too in that tradition. He writes '...en nu dus Amsterdam: necrofilie. Wees blij dat u erbij bent. Er zal nog veel meer met u gebeuren'. A lot more would indeed be happening in Amsterdam. A number of contributors later became involved with the Provo movement and in other Amsterdam happenings. (International Institute of Social History). "Organized by New York Living Theater actor Mel Clay, film producer Frank Stern, and writer Simon Vinkenoog, the event features artists performing actions in an environment filled with streamers, paintings, photographs, rotting meat, and cow intestines." (Museum of Modern Art). With another 6 works concerning Simon Vinkenoog, incl. wedding card Vinkenoog and Reineke van der Linden (1964) and circular New Year's greeting for 1963 and 2 posters added. (total 9)