The Arts of Reform and Persuasion, 1885–1945

November 11, 1995–April 28, 1996
The Wolfsonian–FIU @ 1001 Washington Avenue

The Wolfsonian opened in Miami Beach, Florida, with the inaugural exhibition The Arts of Reform and Persuasion, 1885–1945. Featuring more than 280 works drawn from the museum’s permanent collection, the exhibition focused on art movements in Europe and America that either embraced or rejected modernity. Curated by Wendy Kaplan, the exhibition was organized into three distinct sections that demonstrated how design was used to help people adapt to the modern world: “Confronting Modernity,” “Celebrating Modernity,” and “Manipulating Modernity: Political Persuasion.” The first section focused on works from 1885 to the First World War, and the latter two sections examined the period between the World Wars.

The Arts of Reform and Persuasion looked at the profound and sweeping changes that ushered in the modern era. New transportation and communication systems, combined with new political and economic structures, radically altered the way people viewed the world. The exhibition addressed the impact of these changes on art, architecture, and design in America and Europe during this period. Included were examples of avant-garde as well as conservative designs used to sway the electorate in favor of certain political policies in the United States, Germany, and Italy. It featured works as diverse as a rug by Finnish designer Eliel Saarinen to posters celebrating American women's contributions to the war effort.

Traveled to:
Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles, July 21, 1996–September 22, 1996
The Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, October 24, 1996–January 12, 1997
The Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh, February 22, 1997–May 1997
Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, Indiana, November 15, 1997–February 1, 1998