1.1 Futurism and Dada
8 min read•august 21, 2024
and were revolutionary art movements that shook up the early 20th century art world. Futurists celebrated speed, technology, and modernity, while Dadaists rejected logic and embraced in response to .
These movements pioneered new performance techniques that broke artistic boundaries. They encouraged , incorporated multimedia elements, and explored unconventional spaces. Their influence laid the groundwork for modern performance art and experimental theater practices.
Origins of Futurism
- Futurism emerged as an artistic movement in early 20th century Italy, rejecting traditional artistic values and embracing modernity, technology, and speed
- This revolutionary approach to art and performance greatly influenced the development of Performance Art, challenging conventional notions of artistic expression
- Futurism's emphasis on and the machine age laid the groundwork for experimental forms of performance that would shape the future of the discipline
Italian Futurist movement
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- Originated in Milan, Italy in 1909 through the publication of 's
- Embraced the rapid technological advancements and urban industrialization of the early 20th century
- Sought to capture the energy and motion of modern life through various artistic mediums (painting, sculpture, architecture, music, film)
- Rejected traditional artistic values and cultural institutions, advocating for a complete break from the past
Key Futurist figures
- Filippo Tommaso Marinetti: Founder of Futurism and author of the Futurist Manifesto
- : Pioneered Futurist sculpture and painting, focusing on depicting movement and speed
- : Developed Futurist techniques for representing motion in painting and sculpture
- : Invented noise-making machines called "intonarumori" for Futurist musical performances
- : Created innovative Futurist theater designs and costumes
Futurist manifesto
- Published on the front page of French newspaper Le Figaro on February 20, 1909
- Outlined eleven key principles of Futurism, including the glorification of war, patriotism, and technological progress
- Called for the destruction of museums, libraries, and academies, symbolizing a rejection of traditional culture
- Emphasized the beauty of speed, aggression, and the machine age
- Declared that art must be an expression of modern life and should celebrate industrial and technological advancements
Futurist performance techniques
- Futurist performances aimed to shock audiences and challenge traditional artistic conventions
- These techniques revolutionized the concept of live art, paving the way for future experimental performance practices
- Futurist performances often blurred the lines between different art forms, incorporating elements of theater, music, and visual art
Speed and dynamism
- Utilized rapid, fragmented movements to convey the energy and pace of modern life
- Incorporated simultaneous actions and overlapping scenes to create a sense of chaos and excitement
- Employed "" technique in poetry recitations, breaking grammatical rules and conventional syntax
- Developed "" concept, featuring extremely short plays lasting only a few minutes or seconds
- Experimented with unconventional staging and set designs to enhance the feeling of speed and movement
Noise and sound poetry
- Created "noise concerts" using Luigi Russolo's intonarumori machines to produce industrial and urban sounds
- Developed "" (words in freedom) poetry, emphasizing the sonic qualities of language over meaning
- Incorporated onomatopoeic words and non-linguistic vocalizations in performances
- Explored the concept of "wireless imagination" to create abstract soundscapes and audio collages
- Challenged traditional notions of music and poetry by embracing dissonance and unconventional sound production
Synthetic theater
- Introduced extremely short plays, some lasting only a few seconds, to capture the essence of modern life
- Emphasized brevity, surprise, and simultaneity in theatrical performances
- Eliminated traditional plot structures and character development in favor of abstract concepts and sensory experiences
- Incorporated elements of variety shows, circus acts, and vaudeville into theatrical presentations
- Experimented with audience interaction and participation to break down the fourth wall
Dada movement emergence
- Dada emerged as an movement in response to the horrors of World War I and the perceived failures of rationality
- This radical approach to art and performance significantly influenced the development of Performance Art by challenging the very notion of what constitutes art
- Dada's emphasis on chance, absurdism, and found objects opened new avenues for artistic expression in performance
Zurich Dada
- Originated at the in Zurich, Switzerland in 1916
- Founded by Hugo Ball, Emmy Hennings, and other artists seeking refuge from World War I
- Characterized by its rejection of logic, reason, and traditional artistic values
- Incorporated elements of poetry, visual art, and performance in their avant-garde presentations
- Developed techniques such as simultaneous poetry and to challenge conventional artistic expression
New York Dada
- Emerged independently from European Dada around 1915
- Key figures included Marcel Duchamp, Man Ray, and Francis Picabia
- Focused on the concept of "" and the questioning of artistic authorship
- Incorporated elements of American popular culture and machine aesthetics into their work
- Explored the boundaries between art and everyday objects, influencing later conceptual art movements
Berlin Dada
- Developed in the aftermath of World War I, around 1918
- Characterized by a more politically engaged and satirical approach compared to other Dada centers
- Key figures included George Grosz, John Heartfield, and Hannah Höch
- Utilized photomontage and collage techniques to create provocative political statements
- Organized public demonstrations and interventions to challenge social norms and political authority
Dada performance practices
- Dada performances aimed to shock, confuse, and provoke audiences through unconventional and often absurd presentations
- These practices greatly influenced the development of Performance Art by expanding the boundaries of what could be considered a performance
- Dada performances often incorporated elements of chance, improvisation, and audience participation
Cabaret Voltaire
- Served as the birthplace of Dada, hosting nightly performances from February to July 1916
- Featured a diverse range of artistic presentations, including poetry readings, music, dance, and puppet shows
- Introduced simultaneous poetry performances, with multiple poets reciting different texts simultaneously
- Incorporated noise music and abstract sound experiments into their performances
- Encouraged audience participation and spontaneous interventions during events
Chance and absurdism
- Embraced randomness and chance as creative tools in performance and composition
- Developed techniques such as cutting up newspapers and randomly arranging words to create poetry
- Incorporated nonsensical dialogue and actions into theatrical presentations
- Explored the concept of "automatic writing" to tap into the subconscious mind
- Used improvisation and spontaneity to create unpredictable and absurd performance situations
Ready-mades and found objects
- Introduced the concept of "readymades" by Marcel Duchamp, challenging traditional notions of art and authorship
- Incorporated everyday objects into performances and installations, blurring the line between art and life
- Utilized found materials and discarded items to create costumes, props, and set designs
- Explored the idea of "assisted readymades" by modifying or combining existing objects
- Challenged the concept of artistic skill and craftsmanship by elevating mundane objects to the status of art
Futurism vs Dada
- Both Futurism and Dada were influential avant-garde movements that challenged traditional artistic conventions
- Their contrasting approaches to art and performance greatly impacted the development of Performance Art
- Understanding the similarities and differences between these movements provides insight into the evolution of experimental performance practices
Artistic goals
- Futurism sought to celebrate modernity, technology, and progress through art and performance
- Dada aimed to reject logic, reason, and traditional artistic values as a response to societal failures
- Futurists embraced the machine age and sought to represent speed and dynamism in their work
- Dadaists focused on absurdism, chance, and the deconstruction of artistic conventions
- Both movements challenged the status quo but with different motivations and aesthetic approaches
Political ideologies
- Futurism aligned itself with Italian nationalism and later fascism, glorifying war and violence
- Dada emerged as an anti-war movement, rejecting the rationality that led to World War I
- Futurists advocated for social and political change through artistic revolution
- Dadaists often took an anarchic stance, challenging all forms of authority and established institutions
- Both movements used art as a means of social commentary, but with opposing political viewpoints
Aesthetic approaches
- Futurism emphasized dynamism, simultaneity, and the representation of motion in art and performance
- Dada embraced randomness, absurdism, and the use of found objects in artistic creation
- Futurists developed techniques like "words-in-freedom" and noise music to capture modern life
- Dadaists explored , readymades, and the deconstruction of language in their work
- Both movements experimented with multimedia presentations, but with different aesthetic goals and outcomes
Influence on performance art
- Futurism and Dada laid the groundwork for the development of Performance Art as a distinct artistic discipline
- Their innovative approaches to live presentations and audience engagement continue to influence contemporary performance practices
- The legacy of these movements can be seen in various forms of experimental and avant-garde performance today
Breaking traditional boundaries
- Challenged the separation between different art forms, combining elements of theater, music, and visual art
- Expanded the concept of what could be considered a performance, including everyday actions and gestures
- Introduced new performance spaces beyond traditional theaters, such as cafes, streets, and public spaces
- Rejected conventional narrative structures and character development in favor of abstract concepts
- Explored the use of technology and multimedia elements in live performances
Audience participation
- Encouraged active engagement from spectators, breaking down the fourth wall between performers and audience
- Developed techniques to provoke emotional and physical responses from viewers
- Incorporated improvisation and chance elements to create unique, unrepeatable experiences
- Explored the concept of the audience as co-creators of the performance
- Challenged traditional notions of spectatorship and passive consumption of art
Multimedia experimentation
- Integrated various artistic mediums into performances, including visual art, poetry, music, and film
- Explored the use of new technologies in live presentations, such as noise-making machines and projections
- Developed innovative staging techniques to create immersive and dynamic performance environments
- Experimented with the relationship between live performers and recorded or mechanized elements
- Pushed the boundaries of sensory experiences in performance through unconventional use of light, sound, and space
Legacy and impact
- The innovative approaches of Futurism and Dada continue to influence contemporary Performance Art practices
- These movements laid the foundation for numerous experimental art forms and performance styles
- Understanding their legacy provides insight into the evolution of Performance Art as a discipline
Neo-Dada movement
- Emerged in the 1950s and 1960s as a revival and reinterpretation of Dada principles
- Key figures included Robert Rauschenberg, Jasper Johns, and Yoko Ono
- Incorporated elements of popular culture and mass media into artworks and performances
- Explored the use of everyday objects and materials in artistic creation, expanding on the concept of readymades
- Influenced the development of Pop Art, , and Conceptual Art movements
Fluxus and happenings
- Fluxus, founded by George Maciunas in the 1960s, drew inspiration from both Dada and Futurism
- Emphasized the blurring of boundaries between art and life, often incorporating everyday actions into performances
- , pioneered by Allan Kaprow, expanded on the idea of audience participation and environmental art
- Both movements explored the concept of chance and indeterminacy in performance, influenced by John Cage
- Challenged traditional notions of authorship and the commodification of art through ephemeral and participatory events
Contemporary performance art
- Continues to draw inspiration from Futurist and Dada techniques, such as audience interaction and multimedia experimentation
- Explores themes of identity, politics, and social issues through live performance and body art
- Incorporates new technologies and digital media into performances, expanding on Futurist ideas of embracing modernity
- Challenges conventional notions of time and space in performance, influenced by Dada's rejection of traditional artistic values
- Emphasizes the importance of process and experience over finished products, echoing the experimental nature of both movements
Key Terms to Review (28)
Absurdism: Absurdism is a philosophical perspective that emphasizes the conflict between humans' natural tendency to seek inherent meaning in life and the silent, indifferent universe that offers none. This tension creates a sense of absurdity, which often leads to existential questioning, humor, and a rejection of traditional values and narratives. Absurdism connects closely with movements like Futurism and Dada, as these movements challenged conventions, embraced chaos, and celebrated the irrational aspects of life in response to a world that seemed increasingly meaningless.
Anti-art: Anti-art is a movement that challenges and rejects traditional artistic values, norms, and conventions, often emphasizing the absurd, the unexpected, and the non-aesthetic. It aims to provoke thought and inspire critical reflection on the nature of art itself, questioning what qualifies as art and who has the authority to define it. This concept is closely linked to movements that emerged in the early 20th century, which sought to disrupt societal expectations and promote innovative forms of expression.
Audience participation: Audience participation refers to the active involvement of viewers or spectators in a performance, breaking the traditional barrier between performers and the audience. This interaction can take many forms, such as inviting spectators on stage, encouraging them to engage with the work in various ways, or making them an integral part of the performance itself. This concept has evolved through different movements and styles, reshaping the dynamics of how art is experienced and interpreted.
Avant-garde: Avant-garde refers to innovative, experimental, and often radical artistic movements that challenge established norms and conventions. This term is typically associated with the arts, particularly in the realms of visual arts, literature, music, and performance. It seeks to push boundaries and provoke thought, often reflecting a desire for social change and reimagining cultural values.
Cabaret Voltaire: Cabaret Voltaire was a nightclub in Zurich, Switzerland, that became the birthplace of the Dada movement in 1916. It was a hub for artists and intellectuals who sought to challenge traditional artistic norms through absurdity and spontaneity. The performances, art exhibits, and poetry readings that took place there aimed to provoke thought and disrupt societal conventions during a time of political upheaval.
Chance operations: Chance operations refer to techniques used in art and performance that involve randomness and unpredictability, allowing the outcome of the work to be determined by chance rather than by the artist's intentions. This concept encourages spontaneity, embracing uncertainty and transforming art into a dynamic process that often engages with the audience in unexpected ways. The incorporation of chance challenges traditional notions of authorship and control within artistic practices.
Dada: Dada was an avant-garde art movement that emerged in the early 20th century, known for its rejection of conventional aesthetics and its embrace of absurdity, chaos, and anti-art sentiments. It sought to challenge societal norms and provoke thought through unpredictable performances, visual art, poetry, and manifestos that often critiqued war and bourgeois values. The movement laid the groundwork for later developments in performance art, global artistic practices, and contemporary critical theory.
Dynamism: Dynamism refers to the energetic and active nature of movement and change, especially as it relates to art and expression. It embodies a sense of vigor, motion, and vitality, emphasizing the importance of capturing movement and the dynamic qualities of life. In various artistic movements, this concept becomes a driving force that challenges traditional forms and conventions, encouraging a break from the static to embrace fluidity and innovation.
Filippo Tommaso Marinetti: Filippo Tommaso Marinetti was an Italian poet, editor, and founder of the Futurist movement, which emerged in the early 20th century. He is best known for his manifesto 'The Futurist Manifesto,' published in 1909, where he celebrated modernity, technology, and speed while rejecting traditional forms of art and culture. His ideas significantly influenced various art forms, including visual arts, literature, and performance art.
Fluxus: Fluxus is an international art movement that emerged in the 1960s, characterized by its emphasis on the process of art-making, the blending of different artistic disciplines, and the idea of art as an experience rather than a finished product. The movement is known for its radical approach to art and performance, drawing on ideas from Dada and Futurism, while challenging traditional notions of art through participatory events and conceptual practices.
Fortunato Depero: Fortunato Depero was an influential Italian painter, sculptor, and graphic designer known for his association with the Futurist movement. His work embodies the dynamism and modernity that Futurism celebrated, and he played a crucial role in developing Futurist art and design through his innovative approaches. Depero's style is characterized by vibrant colors, geometric forms, and a sense of motion that captures the essence of early 20th-century industrialization and urban life.
Futurism: Futurism is an artistic and social movement that originated in Italy in the early 20th century, emphasizing themes of modernity, speed, technology, and the dynamic energy of contemporary life. It sought to break away from the past and glorify modernity, often using aggressive imagery and bold colors in its works. This movement's revolutionary ideas extended into various forms of art, including visual arts and performance, influencing participatory performances and reshaping the global landscape of performance art and dance.
Futurist Manifesto: The Futurist Manifesto, written by Italian poet Filippo Tommaso Marinetti in 1909, is a foundational text for the Futurism movement, emphasizing themes of speed, technology, youth, and the rejection of the past. This manifesto called for a complete break from traditional art and culture, promoting the idea that art should embrace modernity and celebrate the dynamism of the industrial age. It laid the groundwork for Futurism's impact on various artistic disciplines, highlighting a desire to capture movement and energy in the face of societal progress.
Giacomo Balla: Giacomo Balla was an influential Italian painter and a key figure in the Futurist movement, known for his dynamic works that sought to capture movement and energy. He embraced modernity and technology, often portraying the speed and motion of contemporary life through innovative techniques. Balla's contributions to Futurism included not only painting but also experimentation with photography and sculpture, which helped solidify his status as a pioneer of this avant-garde artistic movement.
Happenings: Happenings are spontaneous, often interactive events that blur the boundaries between art and life, created primarily in the 1960s. These performances emphasize experience over traditional artistic objects, aiming to engage audiences in a more immersive and participatory manner.
Industrial Revolution: The Industrial Revolution was a transformative period from the late 18th to the early 19th century that marked the transition from agrarian economies to industrialized and urban ones. This shift led to significant advancements in technology, manufacturing processes, and societal structures, fundamentally altering how people lived and worked. It sparked new artistic movements and challenged existing norms, paving the way for modernity and influencing various forms of expression, including art and performance.
Luigi Russolo: Luigi Russolo was an Italian composer and painter known for his pioneering work in the field of experimental music and sound art, particularly through his association with the Futurist movement. He is best recognized for his manifesto 'The Art of Noises,' where he advocated for the incorporation of everyday sounds into musical composition, challenging traditional concepts of music and aesthetics. Russolo's ideas significantly influenced the development of modern music, sound design, and performance art by pushing boundaries and encouraging artists to explore new auditory experiences.
Neo-dada movement: The neo-dada movement emerged in the late 1950s and early 1960s as a response to the earlier Dada movement, characterized by its embrace of absurdity, irony, and mixed media. Artists involved in neo-dada challenged traditional artistic conventions by incorporating everyday objects, popular culture references, and found materials, blurring the lines between high art and mass culture. This movement played a significant role in paving the way for later art movements like Pop Art and conceptual art.
Noise Music: Noise music is a genre that emphasizes the use of unconventional sounds, often creating an experience that challenges traditional musical structures and aesthetics. It often incorporates elements like distortion, feedback, and dissonance, reflecting a rebellion against the norms of harmony and melody. Artists within this genre seek to provoke thought and emotion through chaotic auditory landscapes, making it closely aligned with movements like Futurism and Dada that embraced anti-art sentiments.
Parole in libertà: Parole in libertà, meaning 'words in freedom' in Italian, refers to a literary and artistic concept where language is liberated from traditional structures and constraints. This idea emphasizes spontaneity and freedom of expression, often resulting in a break from conventional syntax and grammar. In the context of avant-garde movements, it plays a significant role in expressing the chaotic and fragmented nature of modern life, particularly resonating within Futurism and Dada.
Postmodernism: Postmodernism is an artistic and cultural movement that emerged in the mid-20th century, characterized by a questioning of traditional narratives, conventions, and ideologies. It often embraces fragmentation, parody, and the blending of different styles and media, reflecting the complexities of contemporary society. This movement is significant in various art forms, challenging established norms and emphasizing individual experience.
Readymades: Readymades are everyday objects that have been transformed into art by the simple act of selection and presentation. This concept challenges traditional notions of what constitutes art, as it emphasizes the idea that context and intention can elevate mundane items to the status of artistic expression, breaking down barriers between art and life. Readymades play a crucial role in movements like Futurism and Dada, where artists sought to rebel against conventional art practices and embrace new forms of expression.
Subversion: Subversion refers to the act of undermining or overthrowing established systems, norms, or authorities, often through creative expression. This concept is pivotal in artistic movements that challenge societal norms, provoke thought, and inspire change by questioning the status quo. Subversion often employs irony, satire, and other forms of critique to reveal contradictions within dominant narratives.
Synthetic Theater: Synthetic theater is an innovative performance art form that integrates various artistic elements, such as visual arts, music, dance, and text, into a cohesive experience. This approach emphasizes the collaboration between different disciplines to create a multi-sensory event that engages the audience on multiple levels. By breaking down traditional boundaries between art forms, synthetic theater reflects the chaotic and fragmented nature of modern life, often drawing inspiration from movements like Futurism and Dada.
The first futurist exhibition: The first futurist exhibition, held in 1911 in Milan, was a groundbreaking event that showcased the principles and aesthetics of Futurism, an avant-garde movement that celebrated modernity, speed, and technology. It marked a pivotal moment in art history by bringing together artists who aimed to reject the past and embrace the dynamism of contemporary life. This exhibition set the stage for the movement’s manifesto, influencing both visual arts and performance art by advocating for a break from tradition.
Umberto Boccioni: Umberto Boccioni was an Italian painter and sculptor known for being a key figure in the Futurist movement, which sought to break away from traditional forms of art to embrace modernity, dynamism, and the energy of contemporary life. His works often emphasized movement, speed, and technology, reflecting the rapid changes occurring in early 20th century society. Boccioni's ideas about art were deeply intertwined with the revolutionary ethos of Futurism, which celebrated modernity and the rejection of the past.
Words-in-freedom: Words-in-freedom refers to a concept in art and literature where language is liberated from traditional constraints and allows for creative expression that transcends conventional syntax and semantics. This idea emphasizes spontaneity and the use of language as a means of exploring new forms of expression, often found in the movements of Futurism and Dada, where artists aimed to break away from established norms to embrace chaos and innovation.
World War I: World War I was a global conflict that lasted from 1914 to 1918, involving many of the world's great powers divided into two main alliances: the Allies and the Central Powers. This catastrophic war not only resulted in unprecedented military casualties and destruction but also acted as a catalyst for various cultural movements, including Futurism and Dada, which emerged as reactions to the chaos and devastation of the war.