Reflection on Art Which Can't be Art by Allen Kaprow

1.When Kaprow brushed his teeth, it was not art, it was life. That is, at first. It is when he started taking more interest in the action, approaching it with more curiosity, that it became more like art. He noticed the tightness in his elbow, how his fingers wrapped around the brush, how he went about the action, and how he looked in the mirror as he performed the everyday task. Even with these observations though, the question remains as to whether Kaprow is thinking like an artist, that is noticing things that others don't necessarily notice, or is he making art? As Kaprow says "this is where the paradox lies, an artist concerned with making lifelike art does and does not make art."
I think Kaprow was successful in his resolution to observe his tooth brushing more, but I think the real artistic connection it has lie in the reflection that come in the hours, days, and weeks after noticing the act of brushing teeth. But at least for himself, I think Kaprow made art. He did an action that was went to be noticed, questioned, and observed. Similar in some ways to a painting in a gallery. It too is meant to be noticed, questioned, and observed.

2. Some of the actions I do in a nonconscious way are:
-checking my cell phone
-touching/playing with my hair
-blinking
-fidgeting
-walk to class
-turn on lights
-put on shoes
-check the time
-Do makeup/hair
-get out of bed in the morning
If I noticed and documented these things, some of them would change. I'm sure if I started noticing how much I blinked it would affect my blinking, I'd start trying to regulate it, make some type of pattern, or not do it so much. If I took notice of how often I checked the time I'd probably begin to realize how scheduled my life is and how much the human race relys on time to function. (what was life like before documented time?) Some of these activities obviously relate to the passage of time (such as checking the time) but some of them take some more thinking to realize how they show a passage of time. Maybe I blink more frequently as the day goes by. Maybe I fidget with my hair more often the more tired I am. As the day progresses I'm sure my image changes. I start out looking one way and end up looking another. Some of these activities would simply make me more aware of the passage of time if I noticed them, like I'm sure Kaprow did as he brushed his teeth. I'm sure those few minutes in the morning seemed to last longer the more he revered in them and noticed them.

Hmm.. I understand the project, but I'm still thinking about something interesting to document. It's funny, thinking about things you do without noticing them is difficult. It seems like I notice everything... I know I don't though. I need to give this project some more thought.