Given the fact that the Industrial
Revolution represented the imposition of new ways to do everything,
Modern times were characterised by uncertainty. Consequently, some
artists and authors decided to focus their efforts on the future,
which was perceived as a panacea.
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| 'Abstract Speed + Sound', by Giacomo Balla. |
In the early 20th century, a
new artistic movement arose from the lands of Italy. Futurism
(originally known as 'Futurismo') was the reaction from painters,
designers, sculptors, musicians and architects (among others) who
seeked to represent and applaud what they thought the future would be
like. Usually, bigger cities, speed, energy, dynamism and technology
in general were frequent topics reviewed by futurist artists.
Notable people from this movement
include: Filippo Tommaso Marinetti, Umberto Boccioni, Carlo Carrà,
Gino Severini, Giacomo Balla, Antonio Sant'Elia, Bruno Munari,
Benedetta Cappa and Luigi Russolo. Although most famous futurists
were Italian, Futurismo was also developed in Russia and England (not
to mention most European countries).
From my point of view, in a gray world,
colours and lights must have been attractive to artists who could not
find meaning in present times. Not only was this style pictured in
abstract landscapes but also in urban cities (specially by
architects), which happened to be the centre of development during
these times and for the next decades.
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| Futuristic Architecture by Antonio Sant'Elia. |
It also worth mentioning that, through
abstract scenes, futurist painters would also represent the
imprecision and vageness from Modernity.
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| 'Skyscrapers and Tunnels', by Fortunato Depero. |
Once again, mankind is heavily
influenced by technology and its penetration. The aforementioned fact
makes me wonder who is really the subordinated element in the human
relationship with technology.
By Diego Sánchez Rodríguez.
Sources of information:
I consider very fascinating what you have written about artists who belong to the Futurism movement, due to the idea that Futurists artists were a key role of representing the modern experience in our society. They actually showed every detail about the modern society through all their paintings, but what calls my attention about these futurists, is the fact that they were also interest in the new techonology and they actually use it. So, we can conclude that they took advantage of the techonological progress regarding the new visual technology such as the chrono-photography in order to show in more detail the reality of the modern world, as it was a mirror reflection.
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