Historians and exhibit organizers Rob Okun, Richard Fried, and Peter Novick discuss the Spertus Museum’s exhibit “Unknown Secrets: Art and the Rosenberg Era.” Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were both convicted and executed in 1953 for participating in spy activity for the Soviet Union. Okun, Fried, and Novick discuss the Rosenberg case and the subsequent response from the public after the execution, many of whom felt the Rosenbergs were wrongfully convicted. The art in this exhibit captures the passion surrounding this case.
Photographer and author Walter Rosenblum, and dancer and choreographer Daniel Nagrin discuss art, life, photography, and dance. The two answer the question “What calls one to a life of art?” and other driving factors for artists such as political, social, and economic interests. Studs opens and closes this program by playing an untitled Armenian dance song.