How New York stole the idea of modern art
Subtitle: abstract expressionism, freedom, and the cold war
By: Serge Guilbaut ; translated by Arthur Goldhammer.
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
Published: 1983
Place of publication: Chicago
Language: eng
Number of pages: 277
Subjects: New York school of art; Abstract expressionism -- United States; Avant-garde (Aesthetics) -- United States -- History -- 20th century; Art and society -- United States -- History -- 20th century
Description: Why was New York abstract expressionism so successful after World War II? To answer that question, Serge Guilbaut takes a controversial look at the complicated, intertwining relationship among art, politics, and ideology. He explores the changing New York and Paris art scenes of the Cold War period, the rejection by artists of political ideology, and the coopting by left-wing writers and politicians of the artistic revolt.

"A provocative interpretation of the political and cultural history of the early cold war years. . . . By insisting that art, even art of the avant-garde, is part of the general culture, not autonomous or above it, he forces us to think differently not only about art and art history but about society itself."
Notes: Bibliography: p. [251]-266.
Includes index.