This comment was written by HAVC 135B on 2 Sep 2016.

HAVC 135B : German Art 1905-1945

How might the horrible outcomes of the Nazi’s use of art and culture have influenced the apolitical turn toward abstraction in West Germany, as well as the adoption of socialist realism in East Germany?

The outcomes of Nazi use of art influenced the turn towards abstraction in West Germany because the artists were now free to express themselves without regulation and could move away from the realism that was encourage (almost forced) upon artists during the war. Socialist realism thrived in East Germany because it was viewed as the art of the people, art that was helping rebuild the image of Germany and its citizens. Nazi art created a identity for Germany that artists wanted to move away from, this lead to the adoption of new styles, and the reappropriation of old styles, to form a new identity.
- Summer 2016

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