The Birth of the Culture Wars
The culture wars in America have a long and complex history, but the 1980s marked a significant turning point in the conflict. It was during this time that the religious right, feeling disillusioned with the lack of progress on their legislative agenda, began to target contemporary art as a way to mobilize their base and gain a foothold in US politics. As Isaac Butler notes in his new book, The Perfect Moment, this period marked the beginning of the modern culture wars, with all art and popular culture becoming politicized and a battleground.
This shift in focus was driven in part by the end of the Cold War, which left the religious right without a clear adversary. By targeting the arts, they were able to create a new enemy and rally their supporters around a common cause. The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) was a key battleground in this conflict, with conservatives seeking to defund the organization and limit its ability to support controversial or explicit art.
The Role of the Arts in the Culture Wars
The arts have long been a flashpoint in the culture wars, with conservatives often seeking to censor or defund works that they deem offensive or immoral. The 1980s saw a number of high-profile controversies over art funded by the NEA, including works by artists such as Robert Mapplethorpe and Andres Serrano. These controversies helped to galvanize the religious right and establish the arts as a key front in the culture wars.
Butler's book explores this history in depth, examining the ways in which the culture wars of the 1980s continue to shape American politics and society today. He argues that the conflict over art and culture is not just a sideshow, but rather a key aspect of the broader struggle for power and influence in the United States. By understanding the history of the culture wars, Butler suggests, we can better navigate the complex and often fraught landscape of contemporary American politics.
The Ongoing Impact of the Culture Wars
The culture wars of the 1980s may seem like a distant memory, but their impact is still being felt today. The postponement of a Philip Guston retrospective at the National Gallery of Art in 2020, for example, was widely seen as a victory for the forces of censorship and a blow to the principles of free expression. As Butler notes, this incident was a key factor in his decision to write The Perfect Moment, as it highlighted the ongoing relevance of the culture wars to contemporary American society.
The ongoing culture wars have significant implications for artists, writers, and other creatives, who must navigate a complex and often treacherous landscape of censorship, self-censorship, and political correctness. They also have implications for the broader society, as the conflict over art and culture reflects deeper divisions and tensions within American society. By exploring the history and ongoing impact of the culture wars, Butler's book provides a timely and important contribution to our understanding of these issues.