|
For decades, Picasso and Matisse dominated the art world. Then, suddenly, the center of the artistic universe shifted to New York, partially, I think, because of all of the refugees who were there during the War, and, I believe, because of the singular influence of Marcel Duchamp, who had moved to New York many years before, and who was a mentor to some of the early abstract expressionists. The triumph (sort of:-)) of pure abstraction, making Picasso and Matisse seem only "sort of radical"...Frieda is pretty good herself, although not precisely to my taste. But they were both interested in combining socialist realism and folk art, and in progressive themes. Is that good, bad, or just one of the ways that art can function in the broader culture? I would opt for the last... |
