For years, the claimthat the CIA had usedart as a weapon duringthe 1950s and1960s was ambiguous,considered by most ajoke or a rumor. However,relatively recentinterviews with formerCIA officials have confirmedthis statement.

Art is often viewedas a peaceful form ofexpression, and while itis not a direct form ofviolence, it was used asa supplement to actualweapons to oppose theUSSR during the Cold War.

The CIA actively and secretly promoted AmericanAbstract Expressionist Art around the worldfor over two decades. This movement was supportedin order to demonstrate the blossoming offreedom and creativity in the United States at thetime, which sharply contrasted with the straightforwardand limited inspiration of Russian art. Thiscontrast emphasized, maybe over-exaggerated,the rigidity of Socialist Realism art popular in theUSSR.

The idea to utilize art and culture as weaponswas implemented as soon as the CIA was founded.

This policy was called the “long leash.” The CIAhad influenced over more than 800 sources ofmedia, including newspapers and magazines. Inorder to carry out their plan of molding the viewsof people worldwide, the CIA funded many writers,artists, and intellectuals and organized exhibitionsthat toured cities in Europe, the most notable called“The New American Painting.” Some well-knownartists who were sponsored include Jackson Pollockand Mark Rothko.

At first, Abstract Expressionism was frownedupon and even despised by most people because itviolated nearly all the“ rules” of art. With no cleartechnique, this type of art was considered wild andnot truly artistic. However, as it became more andmore pervasive through different mediums, people’s mindsets were altered. Millions of dollars wasspent on this operation, provided by both the governmentand museum donors. With so much financialsupport, this artistic movement had no troublespreading through books, posters, and other means.

Although it can’ t be affirmatively determinedwhether or not this weaponization of art aided inthe collapse of the USSR, the ideals promoted byAbstract Expressionism such as free thinking andartistic expression are distinguishing characteristicsof the United States today.

Jihyun Woo
Whitney High School11th Grade

<Jihyun Woo>