Lecture on Futurism Movement

Overview

• Time Period: Early 1900s
• Origin: Italy
• Focus: Admiration for industrialization and modernity
• Leader: Filippo Tommaso Marinetti
• Key Concept: Futurism

Core Principles

• Rejection of old cultural norms and traditions
• Promotion of speed, movement, and industrial progress
• Destruction of traditional institutions (e.g., museums, libraries)

The Futurist Manifesto (1909)

• Author: Filippo Tommaso Marinetti
• Key Themes:
  • Glorification of war as a cleansing force
  • Militarism and patriotism
  • Opposition to feminism and traditional norms
  • Emphasis on the aesthetics of speed and machines

Development and Expansion

• International Movement: Spread to various art forms
  • Painting, Sculpture, Architecture, Music, Photography, Cinema
• Manifestos: Considered an art form; numerous written

Art and Influence

• Italian Futurism:
  • Techniques: Divisionism, later influenced by Cubism
  • Focus: Dynamic movement, speed, urban environment
  • Key Figures: Umberto Boccioni, Carlo Carrà, Gino Severini, Giacomo Balla, Luigi Russolo
• Notable Works:
  • "The City Rises" by Boccioni
  • "The Street Enters the House" by Boccioni
  • "Unique Forms of Continuity in Space" by Boccioni
  • "Dynamism of a Dog on a Leash" by Balla

Political Context

• Alignment with Fascism:
  • Overlap with fascist propaganda
  • Marinetti's involvement in politics supporting Mussolini
• Opposition to democracy

Divergence and Internal Conflict

• Rift in Futurism (1914):
  • Milan group (Marinetti, Boccioni, Balla) vs. Florence group (Carrà, Sofici, Papini)
• Post-war Futurism:
  • Revival as "Second Futurism"
  • Plastic Dynamism, Mechanical Art, Aero Aesthetics

Russian Futurism

• Origins: Influenced by Italian Futurism
• Development:
  • Adopted Cubism elements, creating "Cubo-Futurism"
  • Key Figures: Natalia Goncharova, Kazimir Malevich, Vladimir Mayakovsky, Velimir Khlebnikov
• Political Stance: Differed from Italian Futurism in WWI outlook
• Aftermath: Ended post-Russian Revolution 1917

Legacy and Influence

• Continuing Influence: Led to Neo-Futurism, Post-Futurism, Retrofuturism
• Impact on Future Movements: Performance arts, theater, short plays

Conclusion

• Futurism was a radical movement that sought to break from the past and embrace technological progress, leaving a lasting impact on various art forms and political ideologies.