There is a graphic libary, that (partly) tries to accomplish this. (but did not really take off)
lib.ivank.net/
Basically the idea was to replace the DOM with a canvas and then create elements in it, like you did in flash.
If it would have matured, you probably could have then used Flex, which is a flash libary, similar to the DOM, but much cleaner. (but flex is heavy, though)
But apparently, no one thought it is worth it. Because, it would mean quite some work, to reimplement the DOM in a faster way ...
Is 64 kb heavy?
There is a graphic libary, that (partly) tries to accomplish this. (but did not really take off)
lib.ivank.net/
Basically the idea was to replace the DOM with a canvas and then create elements in it, like you did in flash.
If it would have matured, you probably could have then used Flex, which is a flash libary, similar to the DOM, but much cleaner. (but flex is heavy, though)
But apparently, no one thought it is worth it. Because, it would mean quite some work, to reimplement the DOM in a faster way ...