The Decisive Years: 1945–1960 was the first in a trilogy of exhibitions that examined MOCA's permanent collection from the 1940s to the present. Presented chronologically, this installment covered the period from late Surrealism through Abstract Expressionism and the early emergence of Pop Art.
The Decisive Years chronologically presented around one hundred and eighty paintings, sculptures, photographs, drawings, and prints by artists from the US and Europe. The "decisive" years of 1945 to 1960 referred to the post-World War II period when American imperialist power, and thus art, first surpassed that of Europe on the world stage. The exhibition began with works by Joan Miro and Arshile Gorsky and paintings from the New York School before progressing to European artists in the following gallery such as Alberto Giacometti and Jean Fautrier. Photographs by Ansel Adams and lithographs by Barnett Newman followed, as well as a selection of recently conserved Franz Kline paintings from MOCA’s Panza Collection. The Decisive Years closed with combines by Robert Rauschenberg and works from “The Store” (1961-63) by Claes Oldenburg—two artists who bridged Abstract Expressionism and Surrealism with the rising wave of Pop.
The Decisive Years: 1945–1960 was organized by Paul Schimmel, Chief Curator, The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles.