‘American Dream: Pop to the Present’ is the title of a major exhibition showing from 9 March to 18 June 2017 in the Sainsbury Wing at the British Museum. The exhibition features more than 200 modern and contemporary prints created by 70 artists from the dawn of pop art until 2014.

 

The intention of the exhibition is to illustrate the development of US art over half a century and provide an insight into the changes which have occurred in American society. Prints from artists such as Andy Warhol, Jackson Pollock, Jasper Jones, and Robert Rauschenberg provide eye-catching and thought provoking images of American street vistas and notable characters. The exhibition begins with ten imposing prints of Marilyn Monroe by Andy Warhol and among the others is a cartoon style one by Robert Rauschenberg depicting a man being hit by a fist with the caption: “POW – Sweet dreams baby.”

The time-line of the exhibition begins with the exuberant confidence of the Sixties and tracks through significant events such as the assassinations of political figures, Apollo 11 moon mission, the Vietnam War, race riots, mass student protests finally concluding with a section which examines “the war on terror” and the financial crisis. As it does so, the exhibition portrays the gradual disillusionment with the American Dream and hints at its attempted reinvigoration by current politicians (see the next blog on the 2016 American Election result speeches).

The wonderful prints capture the zeitgeist of these recent times and provide a visceral thrill as they vividly display moments and individuals which communicate the various interpretations of the American Dream. Don’t miss it and take a look at the preview above.