How New York stole the idea of modern art : abstract, expressionism, freedom, and the cold war

"A provocative interpretation of the political and cultural history of the early cold war years. . . . By insisting that art, even art of the avant-garde, is part of the general culture, not autonomous or above it, he forces us to think differently not only about art and art history but about society itself."-- New York Times Book Review Why Was New York Abstract Expressionism So Successful After World War Ii? To Answer That Question, Serge Guilbaut Takes A Controversial Look At The Complicated, Intertwining Relationship Among Art, Politics, And Ideology. He Explores The Changing New York And Paris Art Scenes Of The Cold War Period, The Rejection By Artists Of Political Ideology, And The Coopting By Left-wing Writers And Politicians Of The Artistic Revolt. A Provocative Interpretation Of The Political And Cultural History Of The Early Cold War Years. . . . By Insisting That Art, Even Art Of The Avant-garde, Is Part Of The General Culture, Not Autonomous Or Above It, He Forces Us To Think Differently Not Only About Art And Art History But About Society Itself. New York, 1935-1941: The De-marxization Of The Intelligentsia -- The Second World War And The Attempt To Establish An Independent American Art -- The Creation Of An American Avant-garde, 1945-1947 -- Success: How New York Stole The Notion Of Modernism From Parisians, 1948. Serge Guilbaut ; Translated By Arthur Goldhammer. Includes Index. Bibliography: P. [251]-266. "A provocative interpretation of the political and cultural history of the early cold war years. . . . By insisting that art, even art of the avant-garde, is part of the general culture, not autonomous or above it, he forces us to think differently not only about art and art history but about society itself." New York Times Book Review