Rereading Abstract Expressionism, Clement Greenberg and the Cold War

Abstract Expressionism was deployed abroad by the post-war US establishment to reinforce its economic and military dominance, but this book argues that it opposes the ends to which it was deployed. It rereads Greenberg's account through Theodor Adorno and Maurice Merleau-Ponty to show that Abstract Expressionism engages corporeal and affective elements of experience dismissed or delegitimated by capitalism and promises a world that would do justice to them.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 21 October 2021
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Since the 1970s, there has been a compelling argument that Abstract Expressionism was showcased abroad by the post-war US establishment as a strategic move to align with and reinforce its newly established economic and military dominance. The narrative surrounding Abstract Expressionism has often been credited to the influential American critic Clement Greenberg, who played a central role in shaping this understanding. However, this book takes a fresh perspective by reinterpreting Greenberg's account through the lenses of Theodor Adorno and Maurice Merleau-Ponty. By doing so, it emerges that Greenberg's criticism, rather than supporting the objectives for which Abstract Expressionism was deployed, actually reveals its inherent opposition.

This book delves into the movement's most renowned artists, as well as female artists and artists of color who were overlooked by Greenberg himself, such as Joan Mitchell and Norman Lewis. It argues that Abstract Expressionism goes beyond reinforcing the capitalist status quo by incorporating corporeal and affective elements of experience that capitalism tends to dismiss or delegitimize. Instead, it offers a vision of a world that would honor and value these aspects of human experience.

Through this rereading, the book challenges the conventional understanding of Abstract Expressionism and sheds light on its complex and multifaceted nature. It demonstrates how the movement not only challenged artistic conventions but also engaged with broader social and political concerns of its time. Abstract Expressionism became a symbol of artistic freedom and expression, offering a platform for artists to push boundaries and challenge the dominant ideologies of the era.

In conclusion, this book offers a fresh perspective on Abstract Expressionism by reinterpreting Greenberg's account through the lenses of Adorno and Merleau-Ponty. It demonstrates that the movement was not merely a tool for reinforcing the status quo but rather a catalyst for artistic innovation and social change. By exploring the corporeal and affective elements of experience that Abstract Expressionism embraced, the book provides a deeper understanding of the movement's significance and its enduring impact on art and culture.

Weight: 662g
Dimension: 159 x 237 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501358388