How Did The Museum Of Modern Art Affect The United States

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Art is one of the most basic forms of expression there is. It has stood the test of time for thousands and thousands of years. Why? With every passing generation, we see new, creative minds emerging, full of new ideas and concepts. The human brain will never stop developing original thoughts and new, inventive ways to do old tasks. As time passes and society begins to progress and develop new styles, so do artists. Thus, the opening of the Museum of Modern Art affected the United States by making modern art accessible to the general public, by creating a place exclusively devoted to showcasing modern art, and as a result, inspiring and influencing American modern artists.
Primarily, the Museum of Modern Art was important to the U.S. because it stood as a place where the American masses could view modern art. This was the very first modern art museum to open in the United States—it was truly an abstract concept to most
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Although, many people were confused and angry, even, about its opening. Most thought it was a waste of money, and the public was confused as to what “modern” truly meant, as the museum was exhibiting art from an array of time periods. Many Americans opposed the favor towards European modern artists that the museum displayed; eventually, in 1940, an artist group in New York called the American Abstract Artists protested the favor by handing out papers, “emblazoned with the heading ‘HOW MODERN is THE MUSEUM OF MODERN ART?’” (The Art Story 1). The papers asked questions concerning the validity of the art shown at the MoMA—was the museum really exhibiting modern art? Why would it feature the old masters, when it was supposed to showcase new and inventive art styles and artists? One quote from the paper sarcastically exclaims, “Why not day-before-yesterday? Why not Resurrections, Adorations and Madonnas? Why not build

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