ebooks Pablo Picasso (Critical Lives) by Mary Ann Caws in Arts-Photography

Description

For the USA; 1945 was a victory not only over the Axis powers; but also over the hegemony of European power and culture. This book explores how; since that time; American social and artistic history has shaped what we know as contemporary art; and how American art has responded to the unique cultural conditions of the time. For fifty years following World War II; New York was the centre of world art; influencing artists well beyond the USA. And; as Katy Siegel argues; since America lacked the European traditions underlying art; American art instead responded to extreme social conditions native to the country. Artistsrsquo; preoccupations ranged across a broad spectrum that encompassed issues of race; mass culture; the individual; suburbia; apocalypse and nuclear destruction; and Since rsquo;45 discusses how these themes came to find their place in artworks. From Rothkorsquo;s planes of colour to Warholrsquo;s serial silkscreens; from Richard Princersquo;s cowboys to Faith Ringgoldrsquo;s Black Light series; Since rsquo;45 examines artists and artworks within the broader spectrum of American society. Siegelrsquo;s narrative moves fluidly from discussion of artistsrsquo; works; art museums and galleries over the decades; to cultural influences and momentous historical events. In addition; rather than arguing on nationalist grounds; or viewing American culture as representative of a now-devalued nation; she explores how US culture dominated not only Americarsquo;s artists; but created conditions that now; after the full globalization of the art world; affect artists worldwide. Lucidly argued and readable; combining aesthetic and social concerns; Since rsquo;45 sheds light on the complexities of American art over half a century and more. It will interest all readers engaged in post-war and contemporary art in the USA and beyond.