Robert Whitman, happenings pioneer and multimedia artist, dies at 89

Robert Whitman, a central figure in the New York 'happenings' movement of the early 1960s, has died. His work blended installation, performance, and multimedia, often incorporating new technology. In works like 'American Moon' (1960), he used mimed action amid detritus such as old textiles and industrial planks, with audiences segregated into groups to ensure varied experiences. Whitman explained he wanted tension between rational mind and will. 'Bathroom Sink' (1964) featured screens and video, rare in performance at the time. The following year, 'Prune Flat' used proscenium stages where actors interacted with large projections. He co-founded Experiments in Art and Technology with Robert Rauschenberg and Bell Labs engineers, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration. His work is held by MoMA, Walker Art Center, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Moderna Museet, and Centre Pompidou.