Futurism Art Movement: Definition & Examples

The futurism art movement significantly impacted both the art world and contemporary lifestyles.

We can define art as exploring oneself and the world we live in and the subsequent expression of that exploration that people communicate through various media. Art is a concept that needs to be understood and explored if human beings truly understand themselves and those around them.

The problem with trying to understand art is that it never stops. Art is a constantly evolving concept shaped and molded by artists of its time, who are in turn shaped and molded by the sociopolitical, economic, and philosophical norms of the times they live in.

This problem is especially true when trying to explain art movements as complex as the Futurism art movement, one of the most influential art movements ever.

Futurism Art Movement Definition

Originating from Italy in the early 20th century, Futurism is a movement style that developed across Europe with significant movements in both Italy and in Russia. 

Artists who supported Futurism's movement adopted the principles of Futurism in their art, and often their politics, and took the artistic world by storm. Futurists adopted the principles of Filippo Marinetti's "Manifesto of Futurism” and were united in not only their artistic style but their ideals.

Art inspired by Futurism takes a much different approach than any previous art style. It incorporates the themes of violence, speed, and dynamism through a series of interesting artistic concepts. 

Previously many art movements had painted biblical or historical classical scenes, portraits, or scenes from nature. The futurists were the forest artists to revere the machine and paint objects and technology of the modern age.

Futurism Art Movement Time Period

Italian Futurism 

Futurism was invented and predominantly based in Italy, founded in Milan in 1909, led by the charismatic poet Marinetti. The group was most influential and active between 1909 and 1914 before a hiatus during World War One. However, it was re-started by Marinetti after the First World War. This revival continued through the 1920s attracting new artists and became known as second-generation Futurism.

Russian Futurism 

Russian Futurism was distinct from Italian futurism and is not an easily defined movement. It was influenced by the Italian movement but was separate from Italian Futurism. Russian Futurism ran from roughly 1912 to 1916 and saw groups of Russian Futurists publishing journals, organizing passionate debates, and curating art exhibitions of their work in St. Petersburg and Moscow. 

Although the Russian artists also vehemently rejected the past, they also celebrated traditional Russian heritage. This element of Russian folk history makes the Russian movement distinct from the Italian movement. 

The Russian futurists included aspects of Russian folk life and religion in their artworks including Russian "primitive" art forms such as religious icons and woodcuts, pagan sculpture, and traditional costumes. These ideas were translated into modern paintings and sculptures with increasingly pure color and abstract art forms.

After World War One, many Russian futurist artists sought a profound new meaning for their artwork. The Russian Futurist vein developed into other art movements such as Suprematism and Constructivism. 

Futurism Art Movement for Kids

Futurism can be a difficult concept to explain to children who have grown up knowing only modern technology. People living through the early 20th century went quickly from a world of horse-drawn carriages to trains and suddenly cars and airplanes. This rapid rise of technology was new, shocking, and sudden for them.

It’s important to explain Futurism to children within the context of the time period. Starting in the 20th Century in Italy, Futurist art, like any other, was greatly influenced by society at the time. 

It started in 1909 and was most popular from then till 1914. After that, World War 1 started, and the art's excitement died down. However, under the leadership of Marinetti, a famous Italian poet, Futurism was revived for a second generation and endured long after World War One.

Futurist artists highlighted themes of the social issues at the time, specifically those connected with the future. These themes included concepts based on the increasing velocity of technology, cars, and aircraft, youth's importance. 

Colors, lines, and shapes are very important in Futurist pieces, for the emphasis is on how the object shifts throughout the canvas. As a result, many futurist works may appear abstract.

Futurism Art Movement Artists

• Giacomo Balla, an Italian painter, and playwright
• Alice Bailly, a Swiss painter
• Umberto Boccioni, Italian painter, and sculptor
• Kseniya Boguslavskaya, a Russian painter
• Anton Giulio Bragaglia, an Italian artist and photographer
• David Burliuk, a Ukrainian painter and co-founder of Russian Futurism
• Vladimir Burliuk, a Ukrainian painter and co-founder of Russian Futurism
• Francesco Cangiullo, an Italian writer and painter
• Luigi De Giudici, an Italian painter
• Benedetta Cappa, an Italian painter, and writer
• Carlo Carrà, an Italian painter
• Ambrogio Casati, an Italian painter
• Primo Conti, an Italian artist
• Tullio Crali, an Italian artist

Many philosophical beliefs and art movements have defined the modern art era, but perhaps none have been as socially crucial as Futurism.