Art 1960s

Why does the focus of art change in the 1960s?

In the 1960s, Abstract Expressionism begins to die out. The focus of art changes from consumerism to something that is somehow more "real" at the time. Some artists see the Ab-Ex artists as too decadent. Their art applies only to art itself, and in effect the essence of the painters. In the later 1960s, events such as the death of Kennedy, and the student riots against the Viet Nam War, cause artists to re-evaluate their place in society.

The subject of the Happenings of the early 1960s was often consumerism and waste. The events juxtaposed comedy and violence by creating a living painting, a performance with conceivable plot, characters, or plot. The materials of the Happening were often consumed or destroyed in the process. Unfortunately the events of 1968 became more violent than the Happening itself, and the art form suddenly seemed irrelevant.

Note: Please excuse this short and rather thoughtless blog. I am not yet finished having a nervous breakdown. I have better questions than this which I will be exploring on my own. I am amazed at having written something other than complete jibberish...that is enough of an accomplishment for now.