Eerie remnants of the former U.S. embassy

Of course, politically motivated art and performance was not new in the 1950s. Before and between the first and second world wars in Europe, a number of art movements such as the Italian Futurists, had spread their political or anti-establishment ideals through various artforms, including performance. But after the Second World War, changing social mores, supported by mass media communication, and the rise of youth culture  saw wide-spread protests against various parts of the political and social status quo.