Futurism

?

Severini 'The Boulevard' (1910)

Description

  • City of Paris, modern, dynamic, uban scene, joyous and decorative, non-academic
  • Oranges and yellows come forward, blues and greens contrast and add depth
  • Surface divided ino geometrical structure, diagonals = pyramidal form, block colours and linear structure
  • Light interupts and divides, perspective destroyed

Context

  • Ronard's theory of Unaimism, human togetherness in modern city
  • Futurist optimism of speed and movement and city as positive force
  • Influence of Cubism in geometrical forms
  • Continuous line, repeititon of colour = movement
  • Marietti: 'we should draw inspiration from the tangible machines of contemporary life'
1 of 3

Balla 'Dynamism of a Dog on a Lead' (1913)

Description

  • Ground level of a dog, unidentified human figure
  • Restrained colour, thick brushstrokes, rapid movement and overlapping shapes
  • Dog has 8 tails, figure 15 feet, repetion ot lines, simultaneous views created
  • Alludes to camera on long exposure
  • Varying light/ colour creates movement

Context

  • Influence of photography, speed of technological advancement, 'synthesis of what one remembers'
  • 1880s Marey and Muybridge's chronophotography gun- horse studies
  • Russolo: 'one remembers what one sees'
2 of 3

Boccioni 'Unique Forms in Continuous Motion in Spa

Description

  • Male nude, defined muscles, accentuated by reflective bronze, multiple views shown
  • No arms, featureless face, helmet with visor, vigour of Baroque sculpture
  • Dissolves, regenerated and transforms, curved shell forms create energy and movement

War

  • Nietzche's philosophy of superman- enthusiasm for war, heroism, strength, D'Annuzio 
  • Marianetti's poetry 'Destruction' presents was as 'the only cure for the world, a superb blazing of enthusiasm and generosity', bronze also = machinery

Influences

  • Fururist 'Techical Manifesto', use of aero-dynamic energy and abstraction
  • Muybridge and Marey's chronophotoraphy in multiples frames
  • 'Winged Victory of Samthrace' at Louvre in treatment of fabric and Rodin's Walking Man
3 of 3

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar History of Art resources:

See all History of Art resources »See all 20th century resources »