Futurism, an Italian art movement that emerged in the early 20th century can be seen as one of the most aggressive and politically motivated movement of the time. Futurists were vehement about the idea of modernity and denunciated the past, futurism was a utopian dream to these Italians artist as Italy was the home to museums and ancient civilizations. They were also fascinated by technology, determined to capture the dynamics, sense and forces in their art, stepping towards abstraction while rejecting the traditions of the past.
" we will free Italy from her innumerable museums which cover her like countless cemeteries "
The first manifesto was published on February 20th, 1909 by Filippo Tommaso Marinetti, however, the term "futurism" was coined half a century before Marinetti by Vincenzo Gioberti in his Augurio dell’Italia futura. Influenced by previous art movements such as post impressionism and cubism, futurists developed their own distinct style that depicts dynamics, sensory sense, and more intense modern settings in their art. The movement was not solely confined to painting but expanded to other medium, including photography, installations, theater, fashion and even architecture. Marinetti drew the support of many other artists, such as Giacomo Balla, Umberto Boccioni, Gino Severini with his radical enthusiasm for modernity, with a more conservative approach to art however inclining to a more fascist political direction.
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The City Rises, by Umberto Boccioni was considered the first iconic painting of the futurist movement. The brushworks show the influence of Cubism, Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, however the theme of it largely differ to that of previous arts depiction of modern society, it scene of chaos and disorder, the predominance use of red resembles a war scene of violence and destruction. The theme continues in Luigi Russolo's The Revolt which combined cubist-like geometrical shapes and impressionism brushstrokes and lines that shows movement of the crowd piercing their way through the city.
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Determined to capture phenomenon that our eyes could not catch, paintings of senses and forces were also one of the key characteristics of futurism. Hugely influenced by sequential photographs and chronophotography, futurist approached abstract ways of depicting motion by focusing on optical and secular spaces, reflecting the dynamic speed and sound of the modern age. Giacomo Balla attempted to capture dynamics of everyday life in his 1912 painting, Dynamism of a Dog on Leash which portrays the blurred feet of a woman and her dachshund in frantic motion. In the same year, Nude Descending a Staircase, No. 2, by Marcel Duchamp, though presented in the form of cubism's geometrical structures, they were assembled in a way that conveys movement like Futurist's style however, it was neither accepted by cubism or futurism. Furthermore, Futurist included sensory effects in visual arts. Luigi Russolo translated the fragrance of perfume into colours that represents the sensory experience.
"We will glorify war —the world's only hygiene —militarism, patriotism, the destructive gesture of freedom-bringers, beautiful ideas worth dying for, and scorn for woman."
Unlike other art movements, Futurists saw themselves as a comprehensive revolution, with political notions. Futurism was short-lived as they were tied to fascist propaganda. The movement perished after the first world war, surviving members continued continued down different paths. Nevertheless, they were a catalyst for future art development in not just visual art but in other domains such as sculpture, textile, drama, literature, music and architecture, especially Futurist literature in Russia.
Source:
Alex Fox. (2012, June 5). A Brief Guide to Futurist Art and Futurism. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZHpmJvU7sM
Douma, M., curator. (2006). , Futurists' Forms of Dynamic Movement from WebExhibits, Institute for Dynamic Educational Advancement,
Washington, DC. Retrieved from http://www.webexhibits.org/colorart/futurism.html
Drew Christie. ( 2008, February 23 ). F.T. Marinetti's Futurist Manifesto. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=
Eli Anapur. ( 2016, November 12 ). Importance of the Futurist Manifesto. Retrieved from https://www.widewalls.ch/futurist-manifesto/
TATE. ( n.d. ). Futurism. Retrieved from http://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/f/futurism
The Art Story Contributors. ( 2017, Oct 24 ). Futurism. Retrieved from http://www.theartstory.org/movement-futurism.htm
Willette, J. S. M. ( 2011, April 1 ). Futurism and the Future. Retrieved from http://arthistoryunstuffed.com/futurism-and-the-future/