Rockefeller Center

[brandonk2009]

This summer I had the opportunity to go to New York City for a few days with my family on vacation. While we were there, I forced my family to let me explore the Rockefeller Center. The Rockefeller Center is my favorite place for 3 reasons: 1) It was constructed during the Great Depression, a time when no major new buildings, let alone an entire center, were being constructed. It was funded solely by John Rockefeller Jr. and stands as a testament to the ability and ingenuity of that family. 2) It's built in a modern art deco style which blends clean geometric styles with 'modern' technology concepts. Consequently it is very distinct from the messier, classical imitation skyscrapers in NYC. 3) The art program John Rockefeller funded created a some really great artwork and unique interior designs.

One of my favorite stories that has to do with the art program is the firing of Diego Rivera. Rivera was hired to paint a fresco in the RCA building that was supposed to represent a man who has put his past behind him and is now facing the problems of the future. Rivera, a socialist, began to paint Man at the Crossroads. The Rockefeller's who saw the work immediately demanded that Rivera change it when they saw Lenin's portrait and Moscow May Day scenes. Rivera refused and left the work as it was. The Rockefeller's, who wanted the building stand as a testament to capitalism and not communism or socialism, paid him for his work and then smashed the fresco. They then hired another artist, José María Sert, to paint the mural instead.

Here's some photos I found online:

[RCA Building]

['Time' José María Sert, RCA Lobby]

['Dance' Hildreth Meiere, Radio City Music Hall's south facade]

And this is the photo of the Atlas statue in front of the International Building:

(There are lots more art around there. These are just some of my favorites...)

[adrock3215]

The Rockefeller's, who wanted the building stand as a testament to capitalism and not communism or socialism, paid him for his work and then smashed the fresco. They then hired another artist, José María Sert, to paint the mural instead.

What I want to know is: why, given his beliefs, Rivera accepted the payment? Shouldn't he have painted the mural for the good of the people?

[brandonk2009]

What I want to know is: why, given his beliefs, Rivera accepted the payment? Shouldn't he have painted the mural for the good of the people?

lol. If only...

[John McVey]

What I want to know is: why, given his beliefs, Rivera accepted the payment? Shouldn't he have painted the mural for the good of the people?

You could be surprised how far a leftist can take rationalisations. I recall having a yarn several years ago with a full-on communist from New York... who had his own business as an IT consultant. He 'justified' it on the grounds that he didn't employ anyone. My old politics lecturer at uni also told stories of Melbourne-Greek members of the Communist Party of Australia, of how they all actively supported communism while at the same time running their shops and cafes, too. He said they said it was alright because they'd hand it all over come the revolution.

The flunkey from Chile in Atlas was an ex-businessman, too:

The last event of the day had been a large dinner reception at the home of Señor Rodrigo Gonzales, a diplomatic representative of Chile. No one had heard of Señor Gonzales a year ago, but he had become famous for the parties he had given in the past six months, ever since his arrival in New York. His guests described him as a progressive businessman. He had lost his property—it was said—when Chile, becoming a People's State, had nationalized all properties, except those belonging to citizens of backward, non-People's countries, such as Argentina; but he had adopted an enlightening attitude and had joined the new regime, placing himself in the service of his country.

JJM

[eddyj]

This summer I had the opportunity to go to New York City for a few days with my family on vacation. While we were there, I forced my family to let me explore the Rockefeller Center. The Rockefeller Center is my favorite place for 3 reasons: 1) It was constructed during the Great Depression, a time when no major new buildings, let alone an entire center, were being constructed. It was funded solely by John Rockefeller Jr. and stands as a testament to the ability and ingenuity of that family. 2) It's built in a modern art deco style which blends clean geometric styles with 'modern' technology concepts. Consequently it is very distinct from the messier, classical imitation skyscrapers in NYC. 3) The art program John Rockefeller funded created a some really great artwork and unique interior designs.

One of my favorite stories that has to do with the art program is the firing of Diego Rivera. Rivera was hired to paint a fresco in the RCA building that was supposed to represent a man who has put his past behind him and is now facing the problems of the future. Rivera, a socialist, began to paint Man at the Crossroads. The Rockefeller's who saw the work immediately demanded that Rivera change it when they saw Lenin's portrait and Moscow May Day scenes. Rivera refused and left the work as it was. The Rockefeller's, who wanted the building stand as a testament to capitalism and not communism or socialism, paid him for his work and then smashed the fresco. They then hired another artist, José María Sert, to paint the mural instead.

Here's some photos I found online:

[RCA Building]

['Time' José María Sert, RCA Lobby]

['Dance' Hildreth Meiere, Radio City Music Hall's south facade]

And this is the photo of the Atlas statue in front of the International Building:

(There are lots more art around there. These are just some of my favorites...)

I'm new here, so first, hello all!

Second, When I was at the RCA lobby a couple years ago the mural struck me as entirely socialist. It certainly was not a display of individual freedom, capitalism, or greatness at all. It actually over-emphasized the "duty of collective labor" if you will, since so many of the tasks being performed were explicitly being performed in groups (i.e. carrying massive weights etc).

I don't discredit the source since I have read one that supports your story but I wonder what has happened since. Maybe the Rockefellers didn't smash the work entirely...