The Atomic Bomb's Impact on Art The artistic response to the atomic bomb was present all around the world. Some of those responses came from the birthplace of the atomic bomb, the USA. One of those artists was Hungarian-born László Moholy-Nagy who lived in Chicago.
Chicago resident Moholy-Nagy was an artist during the post-WWII era, who explored modernism. In the wake of the bombings of Japan, there was a sense of national pride. Particularly in Chicago there was celebration of contribution in making the weapon that won the war. However, there were some who disagreed and sensed a foreboding of humanity possessing such an extreme and destructive weapon, and Moholy-Nagy was one of them. (Garvey, 2000).
Figure 1. Nuclear I, László Moholy-Nagy Figure 2. Nuclear II, László Moholy-Nagy Figure 3. Untitled, László Moholy-Nagy
Figure 1. Nuclear I, 1946, depicts a glass-like sphere, leering over a rectilinear grid. The grid is relatable to skyscrapers and city blocks of Chicago. The view is looking downward, as if from the viewpoint of a pilot dropping this massive sphere of doom on top of Chicago. I believe the artist wanted to impress upon his fellow Chicagoans that the existence of this weapon means they are not excluded in experiencing such devastation from an atomic bomb, like Japan had.
Figure 2. Nuclear II, 1946.
Figure 3. Untitled, 1946.
Figure 4. Which One's Grave, 1945, Another artist that was affected by the atomic bomb event was an editorial and political cartoonist for the Chicago Tribune, Carey Orr (Garvey, 2000). The simple ink drawn cartoon clearly depicts the devastating consequences of war. Like Moholy-Nagy, this artist wanted to convey the seriousness of a weapon, the atomic bomb, coming into creation. It says, we should not elude ourselves into thinking that this weapon will never be used against us. This drawing also compels people to reflect on the atomic bomb's impact and consider the importance of peace.
Andy Warhol was another artist that was influenced by the atomic bomb. Andy Warhol is famous for his repeated image silkscreen prints. Warhol often used photos or images of consumer goods, and celebrity icons. The message within the art was to expose the hollowness of America's consumerism and abuse of celebrity culture. in 1963, Warhol included Red Explosion to his artwork (Decamous, 2011).
Figure 5. Red Explosion, 1963, Warhol used silkscreen and the image of an atomic bomb blast in red and black repeated (Decamous, 2011).
The red and black give an ominous feeling, and as the pictures repeat, the color gets darker, almost pitch black. The dissipation of color would suggest demise, an end to all things. Something that could surely happen with the existence of the atomic bomb. Understanding what message Warhol was conveying through his previous art, I believe that is exactly what he was portraying in this print.
In conclusion, the atomic bomb had a significant impact on the world, and United States, shaping artistic expression in ways that resonate today. Through art, messages are conveyed and expressed, and these American artists did just that.
Figure 1.-4. (Garvey, 2000)
Figure 5. (Decamous, 2011)
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