Hydrogen Jukebox: American Art and Culture, 1945-1960

3 units

The rise and "triumph" of Abstract Expressionism has long dominated the story of American art following World War II. This seminar will put Abstract Expressionism into context with parallel developments in the arts, photography, and film. Among the topics we will consider are the conversation between émigré artists and American culture during and after the war; the emergence of a '"noir" aesthetic in film and literature; the early work of Jasper Johns and Robert Rauschenberg and the so-called "aesthetic of indifference" in relation to Abstract Expressionism; artistic collaborations at Black Mountain College; New York school photography and photojournalism; and the cultural impact of the A bomb. Prerequisites: A 300-level course on 20th century art, photography, or history, or permission of the instructor.