Over the Top @ Smithsonian American Art Museum
Written by DCist contributor Morgan Hargrave
These days, we are not used to seeing reminders of war in our everyday lives. With a new exhibit that opened this weekend, the Smithsonian American Art Museum takes us back to a time when it would have been hard to forget, even for a moment, that we had soldiers dying overseas. Over the Top is a collection of American posters created during World War I to advertise so-called Liberty Bonds. It is an intriguing exhibit showing the fusion of art and politics in an era when people could not be disassociated from the actions of their government, and when something called a "home front" actually existed.
Anyone looking for subtlety in their art would do well to try another exhibit. The aims of each poster are clear: we had a $30 billion war on our hands (an astronomical number in a time when total federal expenditures were around $1 billion per year) and we needed some way to pay for it. Accordingly, the posters on display call on anyone and everyone to make an investment. They are directed at immigrants, mothers and fathers, and even children (Boys and Girls! You can help your Uncle Sam Win the War). Sometimes they are bossy (Fight or Buy Bonds), but they usually play on emotion.
The formula is essentially the same across each poster in the exhibit: a simple, bold message on top of a compelling image of our brave soldiers, the exceedingly evil enemy, or everlasting symbols of America. After all, points out the exhibit, the general public may not quite grasp fiscal policy, but they'll surely do whatever Abraham Lincoln and Uncle Sam say is necessary to defeat the bloodsucking Huns.
Though these posters were commissioned for the overt purpose of gaining funds and public support, there is little doubt that there is serious art here. The dark, emotional pleas of Henry Patrick Raleigh especially stand out, as do the portrayal of an apocalyptic New York City by Joseph Pennell and the biblical imagery of Hubert Chapin. The range of styles on display is impressive and unexpected. Most of the artists, while not quite given free reign, were clearly allowed a good deal of liberty (no pun intended) with how they chose to present the message.
Over the Top fills its small niche in a large museum quite capably. There is considerable variety on display, and the exhibit has done a fine job of putting each in the proper context. One suspects there are underlying motives for displaying these posters in a time of modern war, seeing as our streets aren't exactly lined with victory gardens. So even though none of these pieces is dated later than 1918, this may just be the most timely exhibit in the city.
Located above the Gallery Place Metro station at 8th and F Streets N.W, the Smithsonian American Art Museum is open from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Over the Top: American Posters from World War I will run through February 3, 2008.