The MoMA, The Bomb and the Abstract Expressionists reading illustrates how the US government used the Abstract Expressionist movement as a cultural front in its war against Communism. The fact the US used an art movement to achieve a political goal surprised, intrigued, and, somewhat, irritated me. I had previously not recognized that art could be used to bring about change on a global scale.
Of course, the US used art as a form of propaganda during both World Wars. However, while that art was created by designated government offices, the art used to combat Communism during the Cold War was appropriated from unaffiliated artists. These artists were "individualistic, autonomous, exuding despair, anxiety, and fear of atomic annihilation" (Shark). They were sickened by the atrocities of the war and by America's imperialist behavior. Their art, consequently, could be deemed "anti-government," or even "anti-American." Yet the CIA interpreted it as "anti-Communist" and proceeded to sell it as such.
The US misappropriated Abstract Expressionist art and used it to perpetuate means of effective world domination antithetical to the ideals of the very artists whose work it exploited. The article shows how powerful a tool, as well as a weapon, art can be and how it can be used to orchestrate political change.
Of course, the US used art as a form of propaganda during both World Wars. However, while that art was created by designated government offices, the art used to combat Communism during the Cold War was appropriated from unaffiliated artists. These artists were "individualistic, autonomous, exuding despair, anxiety, and fear of atomic annihilation" (Shark). They were sickened by the atrocities of the war and by America's imperialist behavior. Their art, consequently, could be deemed "anti-government," or even "anti-American." Yet the CIA interpreted it as "anti-Communist" and proceeded to sell it as such.
The US misappropriated Abstract Expressionist art and used it to perpetuate means of effective world domination antithetical to the ideals of the very artists whose work it exploited. The article shows how powerful a tool, as well as a weapon, art can be and how it can be used to orchestrate political change.