Fascism and Art: The Impact on Free Expression
Fascism emerged as a political movement in the early 20th century, marked by authoritarianism, nationalism, and totalitarianism. One of the ways that fascist regimes sought to promote their ideology was through the control of art. This often led to the suppression of free expression, the promotion of state-sponsored art, and the persecution of artists who did not conform to fascist values. In this blog post, we will examine the impact of fascism on the free expression of art and the ways in which artists responded to these challenges.
Suppression of Free Expression
Fascist regimes sought to suppress art that did not conform to their political or ideological agenda. In Italy, for example, the Fascist government established the Opera Nazionale Balilla, a youth organization that promoted fascist ideology and controlled the production of art. The organization censored books, paintings, and films that did not conform to their values, effectively stifling the expression of dissenting views. Similarly, in Germany, the Nazi regime censored books and films that they deemed “un-German” and persecuted artists who were seen as critical of their ideology.
State-Sponsored Art
EUR District, Rome . Getty Images
Fascist regimes often promoted state-sponsored art that reflected their ideology and values. In Italy, the Fascist government commissioned public art that glorified the fascist movement and its leaders. This included the creation of large public monuments, such as the EUR district in Rome, which was designed to showcase fascist architecture and art.
Germany
Similarly, in Germany, the Nazi regime promoted “degenerate art,” which referred to any art that did not conform to their standards.
Joseph Goebbels views the Degenerate Art Exhibition
The regime established the Entartete Kunst (Degenerate Art) exhibition, which showcased art that they deemed to be degenerate or harmful to German culture.
Fascist Art Movements
Fascism also gave rise to art movements that were specifically designed to promote fascist ideology. One such movement was Futurism, which emerged in Italy in the early 20th century. Futurist artists celebrated technology, speed, and violence, and rejected traditional art forms in favor of new and experimental techniques. Futurism was closely aligned with Italian fascism and saw itself as a force for modernization and progress. Similarly, in Germany, the Nazi regime promoted the concept of “heroic realism,” which sought to glorify the Nazi party and its leaders. Heroic realism was characterized by its grandiose and dramatic depictions of Nazi ideology and its emphasis on heroic figures and military strength.
Persecution of Artists
Artists who were seen as critical of fascist regimes or who did not conform to fascist values were often persecuted or punished. In Italy, the Fascist government established a blacklist of artists who were deemed “politically unreliable.” These artists were excluded from public exhibitions and could not sell their work. Similarly, in Germany, the Nazi regime persecuted artists who were deemed “degenerate” or who were seen as critical of the regime. Many of these artists were forced into exile or faced imprisonment and even death.
Exile and Diaspora
Many artists fled fascist regimes and sought refuge in other countries. This often led to a diaspora of artists who were forced to leave their homes and communities in search of freedom and safety. The Spanish Civil War, for example, led to the exile of many Spanish artists, including Pablo Picasso and Joan Miró. Similarly, many German and Italian artists fled their countries during World War II and established artistic communities in other parts of Europe and the United States.
Post-Fascist Art
Debate and Focus
After the fall of fascist regimes, many artists used their work to challenge the legacy of fascism and promote freedom of expression. In Italy, for example, the post-war period saw the emergence of the Arte Povera movement (Poor Art), which rejected the grandiosity and political control of fascist art in favor of a more humble and organic approach. Similarly, in Germany, the post-war period saw the rise of the Neue Wilden movement, which rejected the formalism of post-war art in favor of a more expressive and emotional approach.
The impact of fascism on the free expression of art is a complex and nuanced topic that continues to be debated by scholars and art historians. Some argue that fascist regimes were able to promote a sense of unity and identity through their control of art, while others point to the suppression of free expression and persecution of dissenting voices. A focus on individual artists and movements can provide a more nuanced understanding of the ways in which fascism impacted art and the responses of artists to these challenges.
Just as importantly, is to remember the historical context as it relates to current, or future political events. Will be able to circumvent the rise of future fascist movements, or will we be doomed to repeat them.
Bryan Brouwer