Cold War in the White Cube: U.S. Exhibitions of Latin American Art, 1959-1968

In 1959, a surge of major exhibitions of Latin American art occurred in the United States, showcasing art produced in regions considered susceptible to communist influence. These exhibitions, held in prestigious venues like the Guggenheim Museum, aimed to present Latin America as a unified whole for U.S. audiences. Delia Solomons' book highlights disruptive artworks that challenged the curatorial frames and reveals these exhibitions as complex contact zones where competing voices collided. The U.S. curators crafted projections of Pan-American partnership and harmony, with the United States as the leader, interpreter, and good neighbor, during an era of brutal U.S. interference across the Americas.

Format: Hardback
Length: 244 pages
Publication date: 28 February 2023
Publisher: Pennsylvania State University Press

In 1959, a pivotal year marked by heightened tensions in the Americas due to the Cuban Revolution, a remarkable phenomenon unfolded in the United States: a surge in major exhibitions showcasing Latin American art. As the 1960s unfolded, these exhibitions gained momentum, captivating audiences across the nation. These exhibitions, held in prestigious venues like the Guggenheim Museum, the Walker Art Center, MoMA, and the Art Institute of Chicago, aimed to present Latin America as a cohesive and unified entity to U.S. viewers. Delia Solomons, in her insightful analysis, highlights disruptive artworks that challenged the curatorial frames that sought to confine them. These exhibitions emerged as complex contact zones, where diverse voices converged, creating a dynamic interplay of ideas.

The U.S. curators responsible for organizing these exhibitions employed various strategies to shape their projections. They carefully selected artworks that evaded overt political messages, avoiding references to contemporary inter-American frictions. This selective approach aimed to present a harmonious image of Pan-American partnership and unity, with the United States positioned as the leader, interpreter, and benevolent neighbor.

The theoretical depth and originality of this survey of Cold War-era Latin American art exhibits offer valuable insights into the midcentury history of major U.S. art museums. It contributes significantly to the fields of museum studies, art history, and Latin American modernist art, shedding light on the complex dynamics and cultural exchanges that unfolded during this pivotal period.

Weight: 928g
Dimension: 249 x 238 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780271093291