Art Matters: How The Culture Wars Changed America
Edited by Brian Wallis, Marianne Weems, and Philip Yenawine

The 1980’s and 90’s saw American culture deeply divided by debates over social identity, public morality, communal values, and freedom of expression. A key focus in these polarizing discussions has been the role of the visual arts in public life.

In Art Matters, five leading cultural critics and two contemporary artists examine this explosive challenge to the arts. Lucy R. Lippard investigates the transformations that have taken place in social art practices since the 1970’s. Michele Wallace takes on high art, popular culture, and the shaping of African American identity, Carole S. Vance ponders the impact of censorship on sexually explicit imagery, David Deitcher discusses queer culture and the impact of AIDS on art, Lewis Hyde considers the role a democratic government plays in fostering culture, and arts educator Philip Yenawine provides an introduction. In addition, projects by artists Julie Ault and Andrea Fraser consider some of the artistic practices and institutional responses in the fight to preserve freedom of expression in America.

With over 125 illustrations and 15 essays that address such key topics as new art forms, diversity, AIDS, censorship, and funding for the arts, Art Matters is a vibrant document and reassessment of this crucial period.

Additional contributions by: Douglas Crimp, Coco Fusco, Holly Hughes, Richard Elovich, Kobena Mercer, Martha Roster, Kathleen M. Sullivan, David Wojnarowicz, and George Yudice.
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