Artists Call Against US Intervention In Central America

A nationwide mobilization of artists and intellectuals organizing out of New York City, The Kitchen platformed Central American documentary art and anti-propaganda, such as Agrarian Reform TV.

In the early 1980s, as a facet of the Cold War, the Reagan administration supported right wing groups violently opposing the ascension of left wing governments in Central American countries such as El Salvador, Nicaragua, and elsewhere. This provoked strong reactions in the liberal and left wing communities in the U.S., including among artists in New York City. In June 1982, the art critic and activist Lucy Lippard attended the exhibition ¡LUCHAR! An Exhibition for the People of Central America organized by artist collective Group Material. The show brought together artists from across the Americas to break down national borders and aesthetic hierarchies. In May 1983, as an outgrowth of that discussion, Lippard and a handful of other artists cofounded Artists Call Against U.S. Intervention in Central America. Many of the artists had participated in ¡LUCHAR!, such as Coosje van Bruggen, Claes Oldenburg, Leon Golub, Daniel Flores y Ascencio, and Doug Ashford. The goal of Artists Call was to organize and coordinate exhibitions and public events in a campaign against the actions of the United States government.

While founded in New York City, Artists Call quickly expanded to include groups and artists in 27 cities across the United States. During their year-long existence they produced 31 exhibitions, along with poetry readings, performances, concerts, and more. These events acted as benefits to raise funds to help the people of Central America. The group produced posters and a significant amount of mail art in practicing their belief that art-making in and of itself was an act of political protest. Collaborating organizations and artists included the Institute for Arts and Letters of El Salvador in Exile (INALSE), Political Art Documentation/Distribution (PAD/D), Bread and Puppet Theater, Judson Church, Susan Meiselas, Peter Gourfain, Alfredo Jaar, Marilyn Minter, Jerry Kearns, Claes Oldenburg, and Coosje Van Bruggen.