One way in which the Happenings state their freedom from time is in their deliberate impermanence. A painter or sculptor who makes Happenings does not make anything that can be purchased. One cannot buy a Happening; one can only support it. It is consumed on the premises. This would seem to make Happenings a form of theater, for one can only attend a theatrical performance, but can’t take it home. But in the theater, there is a text, a complete “score” for the performance which is printed, can be bought, read, and has an existence independent of any performance of it. Happenings are not
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