In 1937, Germany’s Third Reich hosted two simultaneous art exhibitions in Munich that showcased the stark contrast between what the regime deemed as appropriate art for the ideal Aryan society and what they labeled as “degenerate art.” The Great German Art Exhibition featured art that glorified the regime’s vision of an orderly and triumphant society, while the Degenerate Art exhibition displayed works that were considered abstract, profane, and produced by individuals deemed enemies of the Reich.
The Nazis used culture as a powerful tool to consolidate power and promote their ideology. The dueling art exhibitions were part of Hitler’s propaganda efforts to control and manipulate cultural production to glorify the party and demean scapegoated groups. Joseph Goebbels, Hitler’s propaganda minister, emphasized the importance of art as a spiritual weapon for war, highlighting the regime’s strategic use of cultural control.
Fast forward to the present day, where we see echoes of authoritarian tactics in the cultural sphere. Donald Trump’s recent takeover of the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC, after purging the board of Biden appointees, is a concerning example of political interference in the arts. Trump’s move to appoint unqualified donors and loyalists to key cultural positions reflects a disturbing trend of using cultural institutions for political gain.
Throughout history, oppressive regimes have sought to control the arts as a means of exerting power and suppressing dissent. From ancient Rome to Stalinist Russia, Mao Zedong’s China, and Pinochet’s Chile, dictators have used art as a tool to shape narratives, glorify their rule, and silence opposition. The parallels between these historical examples and Trump’s cultural decrees highlight the dangerous implications of political interference in artistic expression.
In contemporary times, we see similar patterns of cultural control in countries like Brazil, Poland, and Hungary. Leaders like Jair Bolsonaro, Viktor Orbán, and their allies have sought to manipulate cultural institutions, censor artistic expression, and rewrite history to suit their political agendas. The erosion of artistic freedom and autonomy in these countries underscores the ongoing threat to creative expression posed by authoritarian regimes.
Trump’s efforts to exert control over the arts, from imposing restrictions on the National Endowment for the Arts to appointing himself as chair of the Kennedy Center, are part of a broader strategy to suppress dissent and consolidate power. By examining the historical context of cultural control and its implications for artistic freedom, we can better understand the dangers of politicizing the arts and the importance of safeguarding creative expression in a democratic society.
