Entitled: Discriminating Tastes and the Expansion of the Arts

The American arts scene has expanded to embrace a more diverse range of folk, vernacular, and popular culture, but it remains elite and cosmopolitan. Jennifer Lena's book "The American Art World" explores how organizational transformations have made this change possible, examining key historical moments and the efforts to define American genres, styles, creators, and audiences.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 07 December 2021
Publisher: Princeton University Press

Two centuries ago, wealthy entrepreneurs established the American cathedrals of culture—museums, theater companies, and symphony orchestras—to emulate European art. However, the American arts scene has expanded significantly to encompass a wide range of diverse forms, including photography, design, comics, graffiti, jazz, and many other forms of folk, vernacular, and popular culture. What led to this remarkable transformation? In her book titled, Jennifer Lena explores how organizational transformations in the American art world, amidst a shifting political, economic, technological, and social landscape, facilitated this change. By tracing the evolution of American art from its early days to the present, Lena demonstrates that while the American arts may be more open, they remain unequal. She examines key historical moments, such as the establishment of the Museum of Primitive Art and the allocation of federal and state subsidies during the New Deal to support the production and display of culture. Lena also charts the efforts to define American genres, styles, creators, and audiences, exploring how democratic values helped legitimize folk, vernacular, and commercial art, which was previously perceived as non-elite.

Despite the growing appreciation for more diverse culture among art lovers, they carefully select and curate works that align with their cosmopolitan, elite, and moral tastes. This selective process reflects the complex interplay between democratic values and the desire for cultural refinement. The American arts scene has evolved from its exclusive and cosmopolitan origins to embrace a wide range of cultural expressions, reflecting the country's rich and diverse heritage. While democratic values have played a significant role in legitimizing these forms of art, it is important to note that they are still curated and consumed within the context of elite and cosmopolitan tastes. As the art world continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how these dynamics shape the future of American art and culture.

Weight: 416g
Dimension: 156 x 233 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691204796