At the height of the Cold War, the US government sought to counter Communism with culture. The 1964 Venice Biennale became a battleground, with Alice Denney recommending curator Alan Solomon to organize the US entry. Solomon and dealer Leo Castelli conspired to crown Robert Rauschenberg with the Grand Prize, despite his unconventional art style combining junk and pop culture.
Taking Venice
The 1964 Venice Biennale serves as a backdrop for a high-stakes cultural clash, as the US government harnesses art as a means to counter the spread of Communism, igniting a dramatic confrontation between East and West.
