(Drivebycuriosity) - At the begin of the last century prevailed optimism, at least in Italy. There was a group of artists who created forward-looking paintings, posters, sculptures, architecture, poems and films: The Italian Futurism.
This week I enjoyed the exhibition "Italian Futurism, 1909–1944: Reconstructing the Universe", @ Guggenheim Museum, New York City (the show continues trough September 1, 2014 guggenheim). Unfortunately the place - as many museums - has a stupid no photography policy (what harm does a picture inflict when taken without flash).
Apparently the Italian futurists, who often were left-wing and anarchists, were fascinated by factories, machines, energy & technology, contrary to the present time left-wings who seem to be afraid of the future and anti-technology. Remarkably, Mussolini´s fascists embraced Futurism and used it for their propaganda, while Hitler´s nazis abhorred and haunted abstract art, which they denounced as "entartete Kunst" (abnormal art).
I was fascinated by the beauty, power and gaiety of the exhibited images. Many reflect the power and dynamics of technology: Cars, bicyclists and airplanes. It seems that the Italian Futurism has a great influence on contemporary art, but also on movies and advertisement.
The exhibition is a must - not just for art lovers.
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