The CIA secretly leveraged Abstract Expressionism, particularly the art of Jackson Pollock, during the Cold War. This wasn't about controlling artists but using their work as a symbol of American freedom and individualism against Soviet Socialist Realism. Through the Congress for Cultural Freedom (CCF), the CIA funded major art exhibitions like "The New American Painting" and collaborated with institutions like the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) to promote this art internationally. While the CIA didn't create Abstract Expressionism, they amplified its impact, making it a powerful cultural weapon and shifting the art world's focus to New York. Discover the hidden history of how art became a tool in the battle for hearts and minds during the Cold War.

Related episodes:

Jackson Pollock

Janet Sobel

Lee Krasner

Mark Rothko

Erased de Kooning

Check out my other podcasts  Art Smart | Rainbow Puppy Science Lab

Who ARTed is an Airwave Media Podcast. If you are interested in advertising on this or any other Airwave Media show, email: [email protected]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices