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"What is Futurism?"

An artistic and literary movement originating in Italy in the early 20th century characterized by its celebration of technology and the future.

Futurism: The Art and Literature of the Future

Embrace the future with Futurism, the Italian-born artistic and literary movement that emerged in the early 20th century.

Expressing a radical shift from past practices, Futurism celebrated technology, speed, and industrialization, all of which it saw as fundamental to the future.

In literature, Futurist writers experimented with typographical innovations, unconventional punctuation, and the use of slang and neologisms to communicate the vitality of the modern world. Notable works include Filippo Tommaso Marinetti's 'Manifesto of Futurism,' Umberto Boccioni's 'Futurist Painting: Technical Manifesto,' and Giacomo Balla's 'Futurist Synthetic Theatre.'

Like its artistic counterpart, Futurist poetry was be characterized by an emphasis on speed, fragmentation, and the mechanical, with Marinetti declaring it 'a loudspeaker made of flesh put in place of the old-time lyricist.' In addition to Marinetti, other prominent Futurist poets include F.T. P. Gay, Corrado Govoni, and Carlo Carrà.

With its focus on the future, Futurism remains an influential artistic and literary movement that inspires thought and experimentation in creative fields to this day. Embrace the future by exploring Futurism yourself!

Futurism in Literature: Examples that are Worth Your Time
Two examples of Futurism in Literature
Zang Tumb Tumb, by Filippo Tommaso Marinetti

Described as the 'bible of Futurism,' Zang Tumb Tumb is a poem by Filippo Tommaso Marinetti that portrays the chaos and violence of war, using an innovative typographical layout as well as sounds, onomatopoeias, and short exclamations.

Unique Forms of Continuity in Space, by Umberto Boccioni

This sculpture by Umberto Boccioni represents the Futurist principle of dynamism, which holds that art and life must be constantly moving and changing. It is considered one of the most iconic artworks of the Futurist movement.