Futurism & Fascism: Complex Connections

This lecture explores the complex relationship between Italian Futurism (1909-1944) and Fascism (1922-1943). Beginning with Futurism’s official launch in 1909 with the so-called “Founding Manifesto of Futurism” authored by F. T. Marinetti, we will explore thematic as well as historical aspects of this multi-media movement that manifested in painting, sculpture, music, fashion, performance, and more. In engaging both the first and second waves of this movement, we will examine how artists such as Giacomo Balla, Umberto Boccioni, Carlo Carrà, and Gino Severini explored speed, dynamism, violence, technology, and war in their practice. Further, we will see how specific artworks exemplify the movement’s medium-based manifestoes. Finally, we will explore how the tenets of futurism echoed many of the central principles of Italian Fascism, not only reinforcing the violent, colonialist agenda of Benito Mussolini’s regime but also modeling a glorified vision of war and technological progress in advance of the regime’s establishment…