This course surveys the most important art produced in the United States (or by American artists living abroad) between 1865 and 1980. The course starts with the colonial period when art had an important role in creating American identity. This process was marked by a series of “transforming encounters,” with Native American culture and then with European art abroad. In building a nation, Americans created a national and cosmopolitan art celebrating as well as criticizing individualism, collectivism, and modern life.
Modern art was not invented in the States, but it had its American discourse best exemplified through the American reception of European art exhibited at the 1913 Armory Show. Documentary photography of the Great Depression and regionalist tendencies in the 30s continued to show how important art was in strengthening the American sense of self. By necessity of its émigré and expatriate culture of the early 20th century, American art was also often receptive and reactive. The dynamic of receiving and reacting to the modernist impulses of 20th century European art had an equally strong backlash in repatriation. As Charles Demouth said:“(The life of Europe) was all very wonderful, but, I must work here (in America).” The receptiveness of American culture changed in the 50s. When Robert Rauschenberg went to Paris in the 50s, he quickly realized that he came too late and that the new art scene had moved to New York. In the 50s we start tracing a quick succession of artistic trends which created multifaceted, often conflicting arguments as to what art, its nature and its functions are. The course will continue to examine the decade-by-decade series of reactions to the New York school: “the Yale graduate” 1960s Minimalist reaction and quintessentially American-fed Pop Art (which originated in Britain). The great landscape art projects such as those by Robert Smithson and Christo found particular resonance in American land-bound culture and it continues to be an inspiration for many great contemporary American artists such as James Turell (of Quaker confession). The final nod will be given to postmodern art.
