Edward Hicks, The Peaceable Kingdom, Dallas Museum of Art.

If it was intended to gauge American tastes in artworks at all, Art Everywhere US needn’t have gone to all the trouble. The contest to vote for works of American art that people would like to see on billboards and subway platforms around the country picked Edward Hopper’s Nighthawks (1942) as the top vote-getter, and that preference for realistic portraits and realistic landscapes predominates through the great majority of works on the 50 item list.

The Dallas Museum of Art has two in the top 10: Edward Hicks’ The Peaceable Kingdom (#3) — above, the first painting, in its folk-art simplicities that could be said to diverge somewhat from realistic conventions — and Frederic Edwin Church’s monumental The Icebergs (#6). Archibald John Motley, Jr., the African-American jazz-age artist who is the subject of a current exhibition at the Amon Carter Museum, appears at #38 with Nightlife. The first works by a woman are by Mary Cassatt: The Child’s Bath and The Boating Party, which are #14 at the Art Institute of Chicago and #15 at the National Gallery of Art, respectively. The first work that could be said to represent a sharp, conscious break from anything resembling representational realism are Frank Lloyd Wright’s geometric windows for the Avery Coonley Playhouse (#21). After that, Georgia O’Keefe appears at #33 with Summer Days — just behind the ‘Prosperity Quilt’ by Fannie B. Shaw. Joseph Stella appears at #35 with his brilliant The Brooklyn Bridge while Willem de Kooning appears at #41 with Excavation, Mark Rothko ranks at #44 with White Center and Jasper Johns, Roy Licthenstein and Andy Warhol are all close behind, filling out the very bottom of the list.

But, of course, this effort wasn’t really designed to test American tastes. Inspired by a similar UK program, ArtEverywhere US is basically a billboard-sized BuzzFeed listicle, a kind of clickbait designed to spark conversation and interest in the visual arts — and to get the works out of museum galleries and into the public view. After all, it’s a collaboration among five museums — the Art Institute of Chicago, the Dallas Museum of Art, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the National Gallery of Art and the Whitney Museum — and the Outdoor Advertising Association of America. Voting began in April this year at www.ArtEverywhereUS.org, with the public voting picking through one hundred works nominated by the five museums.  The billboards will start in New York’s Time Square and then appear in some 50,000 displays in all 50 states.

The complete release:

NIGHTHAWKS BY EDWARD HOPPER TOPS THE LIST OF AMERICAN ARTWORKS
SELECTED FOR THE LARGEST OUTDOOR ART SHOW EVER CONCEIVED

Public Vote Helps Five Major Museums Choose the American Art That Will Pop Up on
Billboards and Signs Across the Country in Art Everywhere US, Starting August 4

Dallas, June 20, 2014 — People throughout the United States have voted for the works of American art they most want to see installed in Art Everywhere US, the initiative that will transform billboards, bus shelters, subway platforms, airport dioramas, movie theaters and more into a free, open-air art gallery across the country. The artwork that received the most votes is Nighthawks (1942) by Edward Hopper.

A nationwide celebration of America’s artistic legacy, Art Everywhere US will begin on August 4, 2014, with a launch event in New York’s Times Square, where digital billboards will display all 58 of the selected artworks. For the subsequent four weeks, through August 31, Art Everywhere US will be installed on as many as 50,000 displays, both static and digital, in all 50 states.

The full list of 58 selected artworks will be officially presented to civic leaders at an event on Saturday, June 21, in Dallas, at the annual meeting of the United States Conference of Mayors.

Art Everywhere US is organized through a collaboration among five major museums—the Art Institute of Chicago, the Dallas Museum of Art, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), the National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC and the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York—and the Outdoor Advertising Association of America (OAAA) and its members, with the co-operation of artists, estates, foundations and rights agencies.

In April 2014, voting began on the official website www.ArtEverywhereUS.org, where the public was invited to register their preferences among 100 artworks nominated by the five museums. The website has now been converted into an interactive art gallery, where there is more information about the selected works and the story of American art in the United States.

Speaking for the consortium of five museums, Maxwell L. Anderson, the Eugene McDermott Director, Dallas Museum of Art, stated, “Art Everywhere US is giving our museums the ability to reach a vast new audience in a fresh and entirely accessible way. We’re literally changing the American landscape with art, and offering people everywhere the opportunity to learn about America’s artistic treasures, past and present.”

Nancy Fletcher, President and CEO, Outdoor Advertising Association of America, stated, “We are thrilled that five extraordinary museums are enabling us to bring America’s artistic heritage directly to the people. The members of OAAA have a long history of contributing their resources to public service. Art Everywhere US is the latest chapter in this history—and when it begins on August 4, it’s going to be one of the most spectacular.”

Art Everywhere was originally conceived in the UK by Richard Reed (co-founder of Innocent Drinks). Inaugurated in August 2013 to showcase works created by British artists and owned by the nation, it is now an annual event realized through a collaboration of the Art Fund, Tate and the UK out of home advertising industry. The UK edition of Art Everywhere for 2014 will be on view July 21 through August 31.

Richard Reed stated, “I am thrilled that the movement for getting art to be seen everywhere through poster sites is getting started in the US. We look forward to showcasing artworks simultaneously across the summer in the UK and US as Art Everywhere 2014 sets its sights on being the biggest outdoor exhibition on an international scale. Thanks to the US for taking the Art Everywhere message, building a great campaign and helping to spread it globally.”

Mayors Voice Support for Art Everywhere US

In preparation for the announcement event at the United States Conference of Mayors, the mayors of Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York City and Washington, DC issued statements congratulating the Art Everywhere US team and anticipating the start of the exhibition.

“Chicago is a world-class city with phenomenal cultural institutions that house iconic works of art,” said Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “I am proud that the Art Institute of Chicago, which TripAdvisor named the number one museum to visit in the US last year, is providing 12 paintings from its renowned collection, including the most popular painting Nighthawks. People across the country will now have the chance to experience a small sample of the vast history and culture that Chicago has to offer.”

“Art Everywhere US has provided a fantastic opportunity for the City of Dallas to share important works from the Dallas Museum of Art with the entire country,” said Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings. “This collaboration between five of the nation’s acclaimed museums gives us all the chance to experience art in unique ways, engage in conversation and embrace the impact of art in our lives.”

“Los Angeles is the creative capital of the world, and this is an opportunity for us to share LACMA’s collection across the country. Art Everywhere will engage millions of people by bringing art out of the museum and into the world we live in,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.

“The Whitney Museum is one of New York City’s preeminent cultural institutions and its collection has played a key role in expanding recognition of the quality and diversity of American art around the world,” said New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. “I join my counterparts in cities across the US in applauding this unique partnership that will allow these great works of art to reach an even broader audience in public spaces across the country.”

“The nation’s capital is home to more than 100 museums and historic venues. We are very proud that 14 images of great American masterpieces from the world-renowned collection of the National Gallery of Art will be seen around the country this August. We are also looking forward to hosting images of American art from other cities to be enjoyed by thousands of residents and tourists,” said Vincent C. Gray, Mayor of the District of Columbia.

Digital and Social Media Bring Art Everywhere US to Life

Art Everywhere US is already live on a full range of social media channels, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. Visitors to the official website will be able to discover which artworks are installed in their vicinity—or track every location where a favorite artwork is installed across the country.

Adding to the excitement, selected street-level displays, such as bus shelters, will feature Blippar interactive image recognition technology. Using the free Blippar app on any smart phone or mobile device, people will be able to hold their devices up and ‘look at’ the artwork to instantly unlock a wealth of information, including augmented reality experiences, audio guides, artist and museum content and more.

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Art Everywhere US
Chronological List of Artworks on Display

01. John Singleton Copley, Watson and the Shark, 1778 (National Gallery of Art)
02. Gilbert Stuart, George Washington, c. 1821 (NGA)
03. Edward Hicks, The Peaceable Kingdom c. 1846-47 (Dallas Museum of Art)
04. Fitz Henry Lane, Boston Harbor, Sunset, 18505 (Los Angeles County Museum of Art)
05. Jasper Francis Cropsey, Autumn on the Hudson, 1860 (NGA)
06. Frederic Edwin Church, The Icebergs, 1861 (DMA)
07. James McNeill Whistler, Symphony in White, No. 1: The White Girl, 1862 (NGA)
08. Thomas Eakins, The Biglin Brothers Racing, 1872 (NGA)
09. Winslow Homer, The Cotton Pickers, 1876 (LACMA)
10. Winslow Homer, Breezing Up (A Fair Wind), 1873-76 (NGA)
11. Thomas Moran, Green River Cliffs, Wyoming, 1881 (NGA)
12. William Michael Harnett, The Old Violin, 1886 (NGA)
13. Martin Johnson Heade, Giant Magnolias on a Blue Velvet Cloth, c. 1890 (NGA)
14. Mary Cassatt, The Child’s Bath, 1893 (Art Institute of Chicago)
15. Mary Cassatt, The Boating Party, 1893/94 (NGA)
16. Winslow Homer, The Water Fan, 1898/99 (AIC)
17. John Singer Sargent, Dorothy, 1900 (DMA)
18. John Singer Sargent, The Fountain, Villa Torlonia, Frascati, Italy, 1907 (AIC)
19. Erwin E. Smith, Frank Smith Watering His Horse, Cross-B Ranch, Crosby County, Texas,
c. 1909 (DMA)
20. John Singer Sargent, Nonchaloir (Repose), 1911 (NGA)
21. Frank Lloyd Wright, Avery Coonley Playhouse: Triptych Window, 1912 (AIC)
22. George Bellows, Cliff Dwellers, 1913 (LACMA)
23. Childe Hassam, Allies Day, May 1917, 1917 (NGA)
24. Charles Burchfield, Noontide in Late May, 1917 (Whitney Museum of American Art)
25. Imogen Cunningham, Magnolia Blossom, 1925 (LACMA)
26. Charles Demuth, My Egypt, 1927 (WMAA)
27. Grant Wood, American Gothic, 1930 (AIC)
28. Edward Hopper, Early Sunday Morning, 1930 (WMAA)
29. Millard Sheets, Angel’s Flight, 1931 (LACMA)
30. Charles Sheeler, Classic Landscape, 1931 (NGA)
31. Emil J. Bisttram, Pueblo Woman, 1932 (DMA)
32. Fannie B. Shaw, The Fannie B. Shaw Prosperity Quilt “Prosperity is Just Around the Corner,” 1930-32 (DMA)
33. Georgia O’Keeffe, Summer Days, 1936 (WMAA)
34. Margaret Bourke-White, World’s Highest Standard of Living, 1937 (AIC)
35. Joseph Stella, The Brooklyn Bridge: Variation on an Old Theme, 1939 (WMAA)
36. Edward Hopper, Nighthawks, 1942 (AIC)
37. William H. Johnson, Blind Singer, c. 1942 (WMAA)
38. Archibald John Motley, Jr., Nightlife, 1943 (AIC)
39. Ivan Albright, Picture of Dorian Gray, 1943-44 (AIC)
40. Thomas Hart Benton, Poker Night (from A Streetcar Named Desire), 1948 (WMAA)
41. Willem de Kooning, Excavation, 1950 (AIC)
42. George Tooker, The Subway, 1950 (WMAA)
43. Charles Wilbert White, Harvest Talk, 1953 (AIC)
44. Mark Rothko, White Center, 1957 (LACMA)
45. Willem de Kooning, Montauk Highway, 1958 (LACMA)
46. Jasper Johns, Three Flags, 1958 (WMAA)
47. Roy Lichtenstein, Look Mickey, 1961 (NGA)
48. Jasper Johns, Device, 1961-62 (DMA)
49. Roy Lichtenstein, Cold Shoulder, 1963 (LACMA)
50. Andy Warhol, Campbell’s Soup Can, 1964 (LACMA)
51. Georgia O’Keeffe, Sky Above Clouds IV, 1965 (AIC)
52. Romare Bearden, Soul Three, 1968 (DMA)
53. Ed Ruscha, Hollywood, 1968 (LACMA)
54. Chuck Close, Phil, 1969 (WMAA)
55. Richard Diebenkorn, Ocean Park No. 29, 1970 (DMA)
56. James Rosenquist, Paper Clip, 1973 (DMA)
57. Robert Mapplethorpe, Ken Moody and Robert Sherman, 1984 (LACMA)
58. Cindy Sherman, Untitled Self-Portrait, 2008 (WMAA)