2.2 Futurism and Its Impact

Futurism, an avant-garde movement born in Italy, shook up the art world in the early 20th century. Led by Filippo Marinetti, it rejected the past and embraced speed, technology, and radical change in all aspects of life and art.

In theater, Futurists created new forms like synthetic theater and performance art. These innovative approaches emphasized brevity, simultaneity, and provocation, challenging traditional notions of narrative and audience engagement.

Origins and Key Figures

Marinetti and the Futurist Manifesto

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• Filippo Tommaso Marinetti, an Italian poet, founded the Futurist movement in 1909
• Published the Futurist Manifesto, which advocated for a rejection of the past and an embrace of technology, speed, and violence
• Manifesto called for the destruction of museums, libraries, and other cultural institutions seen as hindering progress
• Futurism aimed to capture the energy and dynamism of modern life through art, literature, and performance

Innovative Theatrical Forms

Synthetic Theater

• Futurists developed synthetic theater, a new form of performance that emphasized brevity, simultaneity, and abstraction
• Performances often lasted only a few minutes and incorporated multiple actions happening simultaneously on stage
• Rejected traditional narrative structures and character development in favor of fragmented, non-linear scenes
• Incorporated elements of dance, music, and visual art to create a multi-sensory experience for the audience

Performance Art and Futurist Interventions

• Futurists engaged in provocative performance art and interventions in public spaces
• Organized "Futurist Evenings," which featured readings of manifestos, experimental music, and confrontational performances designed to shock and provoke audiences
• Staged political demonstrations and public stunts, such as burning Austrian flags or throwing leaflets from the clock tower in Venice
• Performances often blurred the lines between art and life, challenging conventional notions of theater and spectatorship

Futurist Aesthetics and Techniques

Dynamism and Speed

• Futurists sought to capture the dynamism and speed of modern life in their work
• Celebrated the beauty of machines, technology, and urban environments
• Used techniques such as rapid scene changes, frenetic movement, and overlapping dialogue to convey a sense of energy and velocity on stage
• Incorporated elements of dance and acrobatics to create a sense of constant motion and flux

Simultaneity and Fragmentation

• Futurists employed the concept of simultaneity, presenting multiple actions or scenes happening concurrently on stage
• Rejected linear narrative in favor of fragmented, non-sequential scenes that challenged the audience's perception of time and space
• Used techniques such as collage, montage, and juxtaposition to create a sense of visual and conceptual dissonance
• Incorporated elements of chance and improvisation, allowing for unexpected interactions between performers and audience members

Noise Music and Sound Poetry

• Futurists experimented with noise music and sound poetry as a means of expanding the boundaries of musical composition
• Incorporated non-musical sounds, such as industrial noises, machine sounds, and everyday objects, into their performances
• Developed the concept of "noise-tuners," which were modified musical instruments designed to create unconventional sounds
• Used techniques such as onomatopoeia, nonsense syllables, and vocal distortions to create abstract, non-semantic sound poetry that challenged traditional notions of language and meaning