Subject Is U.S., Object Is Art

That's the headline the NY Times gave Grace Glueck's review on the front page of the arts section on the Fourth of July -- though amending it to "Object is Anti-Americanism" might have been more appropriate.

Not to be oversensitive, but by all indications, the Whitney's exhibition, "American Effect: Global Perspectives on theUnited States, 1990-2003", is weighted heavily towards the hostile -- a balance that the reviewer seems entirely at ease with, as when she impassively writes:

Outright anger at the United States and a thirst for revenge are expressed in the Japanese artist Makoto Aida's "Picture of an Air Raid on New York City" (1996), using as a base the folding screen of an earlier tradition. In fake gold leaf, it depicts a formation of World War II Japanese bombers above a Midtown Manhattan in blazing ruins.

Another heated Japanese entry is Hisashi Tenmyouya's "Tattoo Man's Battle" (1996), done in the style of a woodblock print. It presents an almost religious struggle between Japan, portrayed as a puny but fearless and resplendent mounted warrior wielding a glowing sword, and a steroidal sci-fi monster that looms over him, breathing fire and gripping a mighty weapon, an implacable symbol of the United States.

The latter image heads up the review, and may be seen here. One has to wonder who these artists are, who so enthusiastically embrace not only the imagery but also the world view of the xenophobic, imperialist Japan of the 1930s. The review says nothing on that score, however, merely passing on to the next anti-American broadside.

If there's any doubt about the reviewer's point of view, however, it is neatly dispelled by this transition:

And then, as noted, there are those surprising works that look more kindly on American culture, its achievements and its sorrows.

Nope, this isn't taken out of context -- the "surprising" does indeed refer to the works being America-friendly, not to their being unexpected in some other respect. The article concludes:

The show's catalog makes a provocative accompaniment, with commentaries by Mr. Rinder; Edward Said, professor of English at Columbia University and a Palestinian advocate; the French journalist and novelist Elena Poniatowska; the Pakistani historian and novelist Tariq Ali; and others.

Perhaps less provocative than predictable, I fear.

ADDENDUM: For further reading on the history and the various strains of anti-Americanism, take a look at this essay from The Public Interest.

The Whitney's press release for the exhibition is here.

There is also a review in the Globe and Mail, which is much more cognizant of how the exhibition will be received outside of the New York art world; it also notes that the exhibition has received funding from the French government, which will surely be more fuel for the fire.

Posted by David on July 5, 2003 10:11 PM