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Futurism

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Futurism was a bold artistic and social movement. It started in Italy during the early 20th century.

Russolo, Carrà, Marinetti, Boccioni and Severini in front of Le Figaro, Paris, 9 February 1912
Russolo, Carrà, Marinetti, Boccioni and Severini in front of Le Figaro, Paris, 9 February 1912

This movement was all about the excitement of modern life. The Futurists loved speed, technology, and the energy of youth. They were fascinated by new things like cars and airplanes. They also loved the busy feeling of the industrial city. For these artists, the modern world was a source of great wonder. They wanted to celebrate the triumph of humanity over nature.

To make their art, Futurists used many different methods. They wanted to show how objects move through space. One way they did this was with "lines of force." These lines helped show the direction an object was moving. They also used "simultaneity." This meant combining memories and present sights into one image. Some artists used a style called Divisionism. This involved using many small dots and stripes of color. Others used Cubism to help show energy and movement.

Giacomo Balla, 1912, Dynamism of a Dog on a Leash, oil on canvas, 89.8 x 109.8 cm, Albright-Knox Art Gallery
Giacomo Balla, 1912, Dynamism of a Dog on a Leash, oil on canvas, 89.8 x 109.8 cm, Albright-Knox Art Gallery

The movement began with a poet named Filippo Tommaso Marinetti. He published the "Manifesto of Futurism" in February 1909.

Russolo, Carrà, Marinetti, Boccioni and Severini in front of Le Figaro, Paris, 9 February 1912
Russolo, Carrà, Marinetti, Boccioni and Severini in front of Le Figaro, Paris, 9 February 1912

He wanted to free Italy from the weight of its past. He and other artists felt that old traditions were boring. They preferred to be original and daring. Soon, other famous artists joined him. These included painters like Umberto Boccioni and Giacomo Balla. They even wrote manifestos about many things like music and cooking.

Many important works were created during this time. Umberto Boccioni made a famous bronze sculpture in 1913. It is called "Unique Forms of Continuity in Space."

'Unique Forms of Continuity in Space', 1913 bronze by Umberto Boccioni
'Unique Forms of Continuity in Space', 1913 bronze by Umberto Boccioni

Giacomo Balla painted "Abstract Speed + Sound" between 1913 and 1914. Luigi Russolo wrote a piece called "The Art of Noises" in 1913.

The City Rises by Umberto Boccioni 1910
The City Rises by Umberto Boccioni 1910

Boccioni also painted "The City Rises" in 1910. These artists worked in many areas. They did everything from sculpture and painting to architecture and fashion.

Futurism changed how people thought about art forever. It was not just about painting on a canvas. It influenced many other famous art movements later on. These included Art Deco, Surrealism, and Dada. It also had a big impact on movements like Vorticism and Precisionism.

The City Rises by Umberto Boccioni 1910
The City Rises by Umberto Boccioni 1910

Even though it started in Italy, it spread to other places. Some artists in Russia even started their own groups. Futurism showed that art could be as fast and loud as the modern world.

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🖼️ Images & Media (15)
File:Gino Severini, 1912, Dynamic Hieroglyphic of the Bal Tabarin, oil on canvas with sequins, 161.6 x 156.2 cm (63.6 x 61.5 in.), Museum of Modern Art, New York.jpg
Gino Severini, 1912, Dynamic Hieroglyphic...
File:Russolo, Carrà, Marinetti, Boccioni and Severini in front of Le Figaro, Paris, 9 February 1912.jpg
Russolo, Carrà, Marinetti, Boccioni and...
File:'Unique Forms of Continuity in Space', 1913 bronze by Umberto Boccioni.jpg
'Unique Forms of Continuity in Space',...
File:The City Rises by Umberto Boccioni 1910.jpg
The City Rises by Umberto Boccioni 1910.jpg
File:Giacomo Balla, 1912, Dynamism of a Dog on a Leash, oil on canvas, 89.8 x 109.8 cm, Albright-Knox Art Gallery.jpg
Giacomo Balla, 1912, Dynamism of a Dog on...
File:Umberto Boccioni - Laughter.jpg
Umberto Boccioni - Laughter.jpg
File:Luigi Russolo solidity-of-fog-1912.jpg
Luigi Russolo solidity-of-fog-1912.jpg
File:Aldo Palazzeschi, Carlo Carrà, Giovanni Papini, Umberto Boccioni, Filippo Tommaso Marinetti, 1914.jpg
Aldo Palazzeschi, Carlo Carrà, Giovanni...
File:Cyclist (Goncharova, 1913).jpg
Cyclist (Goncharova, 1913).jpg
File:Poshechina obshestvennomu vkusu.jpg
Poshechina obshestvennomu vkusu.jpg
File:Casa Sant'Elia.jpg
Casa Sant'Elia.jpg
File:Thais Bragaglia 1917 06.jpg
Thais Bragaglia 1917 06.jpg

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