Connection Post: Cold War Abstract Expressionism

(Jackson Pollock "The She-Wolf," 1943)

    The documents “Art Proliferation” and “Modern Art was a CIA Weapon” both address the use of art between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War.  In the 1950’s these two countries became the two leading power houses of the world after coming off of the second world war.  Tensions rose between the two as the Soviet Unions advance into communism upset many within the United States.  For most of this period the nations were on the brink of what could have been a disastrous nuclear war.  It was recently confirmed that it was not only a military struggle but a struggle socially and politically, in this case through the movements of art.
    The first article, “Modern Art was a CIA Weapon” shared how and to what extent the United States Central Intelligence Agency became involved in the Abstract Impressionist movement.  According to the article, the government attempted to fund shows and advertisements of the american art to spread its popularity and message.  Tom Braden, a former CIA member, explained that the intent was to ally writers and artists and musicians to to show the freedom they possessed within America.  Under the United States government Abstract Expressionism traveled through Europe showing their free and passionate nature to the world.  The other article Wrote of the Soviets Unions strict control and use of art to show how amazing their communist society was and paint pictures of glorified Dictators.  This is what American wanted to neutralize with their lack of rules in art.
    In this way the articles were very different.  “Modern Art” focuses more on creation and effect within America of the CIA involvement of the movement, while the “Art Proliferation” was more about its effect on the Soviet Union.  While the whole concept of the CIA being involved in the spread of Abstract Expressionism is quite strange to me, I was most surprised to hear how heavily it contrasted to what was being created in the Soviet Union at the same time.  Two places in the same era can be so completely different.  I really love to hear how things became what they are, and it is interesting to think of the different ways that this art form would have come to popularity if not for the United States CIA interfering. 

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