Revolution of the Eye

by Maurice Berger

Published 25 June 2015
An engaging exploration of the relationship between avant-garde art and American network television from the 1940s through the 1970s

The aesthetics and concepts of modern art have influenced American television ever since its inception in the 1930s. In return, early television introduced the public to the latest trends in art and design. This engaging catalogue comprehensively examines the way avant-garde art shaped the look and content of network television in its formative years, from the 1940s through the mid-1970s. It also addresses the larger cultural and social context of television. Artists, fascinated with the new medium and its technological possibilities, contributed to network programs and design campaigns, appeared on television to promote modern art, and explored, critiqued, or absorbed the new medium in their work. More than 150 illustrations reveal both sides of the dialogue between high art and television through a selection of graphic designs, ephemera, and stills from important television programs—from The Twilight Zone to Batman to Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, and more—as well as works by artists including Salvador Dalí, Lee Friedlander, Agnes Martin, Man Ray, Andy Warhol, and many others. Revolution of the Eye uncovers the cultural history of a medium whose powerful influence on our lives remains pervasive.

Published in association with the Jewish Museum, New York, and the Center for Art, Design and Visual Culture, University of Maryland, Baltimore County


Exhibition Schedule:

Jewish Museum, New York
(05/01/15–09/27/15)

Museum of Art at Ft. Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University
(10/25/15–01/10/16)

Addison Gallery of American Art
(04/09/16–07/31/16)

Center for Art, Design and Visual Culture, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
(10/20/16–01/08/17)

The Smart Museum, University of Chicago
(02/16/17–06/11/17)


Published on the hundredth anniversary of The Jewish Museum, this magnificent book explores the culture, history, and beliefs of the Jewish people by presenting an extraordinary selection of works from the Museum's renowned collection

This beautifully illustrated book explores the culture, history, and beliefs of the Jewish people by presenting an extraordinary selection of works from the collection of The Jewish Museum, New York. Ranging from antiquity to the present day, these artworks and ritual objects include a fourth-century glass vessel and ancient burial plaques; exquisite Torah decorations and marriage contracts; stunningly ornate Hanukkah lamps and spice containers; beautiful paintings and prints by such artists as Moritz Daniel Oppenheim, Marc Chagall, and Ben Shahn; striking contemporary works by Leonard Baskin, Sol LeWitt, George Segal, Diane Arbus, Richard Avedon, and many others; and selections of video and still images from television and film, ranging from documentaries and dramas to situation comedies.

Two introductory essays discuss the history and significance of The Jewish Museum, followed by a superb range of artworks grouped thematically in categories such as memory and history; spirituality and faith; society, politics, and community; text and representation; and television and culture. Each work is accompanied by a short essay providing description and interpretation. Together the reproductions and lively text tell the fascinating story of how Jewish culture has evolved through the centuries and across continents.