Synopses & Reviews
In 1909, F.T. Marinetti published his incendiary Futurist Manifesto, proclaiming, and#147;We stand on the last promontory of the centuries!!and#8221; and and#147;There, on the earth, the earliest dawn!and#8221; Intent on delivering Italy from and#147;its fetid cancer of professors, archaeologists, tour guides, and antiquarians,and#8221; the Futurists imagined that art, architecture, literature, and music would function like a machine, transforming the world rather than merely reflecting it. But within a decade, Futurism's utopian ambitions were being wedded to Fascist politics, an alliance that would tragically mar its reputation in the century to follow.
and#160;
Published to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the founding of Futurism, this is the most complete anthology of Futurist manifestos, poems, plays, and images ever to bepublished in English, spanning from 1909 to 1944. Now, amidst another era of unprecedented technological change and cultural crisis, is a pivotal moment to reevaluate Futurism and its haunting legacy for Western civilization.
Review
and#8220;By far the most comprehensive anthology of Italian futurism in English; especially exciting for its unique combination of theoretical, visual, political, and literary material from the most important avant-garde movement of the twentieth century.and#8221;and#8212; Walter L. Adamson, Emory University
Review
and#8220;The definitive anthology of Futurist writings and artworks available in English, indeed in any language.andnbsp; Framed by Lawrence Raineyand#8217;s excellent introduction andandnbsp; its comprehensive bio-bibliographical notes, il Futurismo emerges here as what it surely was: the founding avant-garde movement of the twentieth-century.and#8221;and#8212; Marjorie Perloff, author of The Futurist Moment: Avant-Garde, Avant-Guerre, and the Language of Rupture
Review
and#8220;Exemplary in its scholarly apparatus and interdisciplinary approach, this anthology will be the standard source book on Futurism. It brings together a wealth of texts by diverse voices in the movement, many of whom have never been translated into English before. The biographical sketches and annotations to the texts are invaluable. By expanding the standard repertory, Futurism: An Anthology, will help us reconsider the cultural history of the avant-garde.and#8221;and#8212;Emily Braun, Distinguished Professor of Art History, Hunter College
Synopsis
In 1909, F.T. Marinetti published his incendiary
Futurist Manifesto, proclaiming, "We stand on the last promontory of the centuries " and "There, on the earth, the earliest dawn " Intent on delivering Italy from "its fetid cancer of professors, archaeologists, tour guides, and antiquarians," the Futurists imagined that art, architecture, literature, and music would function like a machine, transforming the world rather than merely reflecting it. But within a decade, Futurism's utopian ambitions were being wedded to Fascist politics, an alliance that would tragically mar its reputation in the century to follow.
Published to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the founding of Futurism, this is the most complete anthology of Futurist manifestos, poems, plays, and images ever to bepublished in English, spanning from 1909 to 1944. Now, amidst another era of unprecedented technological change and cultural crisis, is a pivotal moment to reevaluate Futurism and its haunting legacy for Western civilization.
About the Author
Lawrence Rainey is professor of English, University of York. Christine Poggi is professor of the History of Art, University of Pennsylvania. Laura Wittman is assistant professor of Italian and French Literature,and#160;Stanford University.