Art Movement Futurism Constructivism

Timeline Early 1900’s to late 1920’s 1913 to late 1930’s (although some sources
mention 1915)

HIstorical * Avant garde movement founded in Milan, Italy * Started in Russia before the Bolshevik
in 1909 Revolution

* Principles of this movement in Marinetti’s * Artistic and architectural in terms of philosophy

“Futurist Manifesto”
* Term was coined by sculptors Antoine Pevsner
* Celebrated the triumph of technology over and Naum Gabo
nature and praised originality
* Called for a careful technical analysis of modern
materials and it was hoped that it would eventually
yield new ideas to be put to mass production,
serving the needs of a modern, Communist
society

* Failed to make the smooth transition from the

artist’s studio to the factory; this failure spawned
another new yet short movement called
Productivism, where artists worked in industry

* Had a great effect on later art movements in the

20th century

Factors *Italians wanted to break free from the past *The new Soviet government and the Communist
spirit of the time in Russia led to the idea of
*Hatred for everything old
bringing art to mass production.
 *The urge to celebrate modernity *Developments in mathematics and science meant
that artists were creating less traditional and real
*Influence of science and technology
scenarios in art

“Art for Social Purposes”

Artistic Characteristics *Objects such as cars, planes, the industrial * Functionality over aesthetics
city are frequent features of this movement.
*Themes are often geometric, experimental, and
*Colors are bold and unusual shapes are used. rarely emotional

*Used unusual mediums * Minimalist; art is broken down to its most basic
elements
*Urban, industrial scenes
* Simple, flat, symbolic colors

* Extensive white space as part of the design

* Extensive use of photography and photomontage

rather than drawn illustrations

Artists Russolo, Boccioni, Marinetti Malevich, El Lizitsky

Art Forms *Architecture *Architecture

*Sculpture *Sculpture

*Graphic design *Graphic design

*Interior Design *Industrial design

*Industrial design *Theater

*Theater *Film

*Film *Dance

*Dance *Fashion

*Fashion

*Urban Design

*Music