Select a work of art produced during the Italian Futurist Movement.  Post this image in your discussion board and explore the following question.

In February 1909, Marinetti published a famous manifesto in the French newspaper Le Figaro, demanding that Italian culture stop looking backward and embrace a contemporary reality.  Read a piece of Italian futurist art carefully and explore major themes in what Italy’s reality was coming into WWI.  Based on these themes, explore these dynamic cultural shifts in the historical context.  What is typical of the cultural production of this movement?  And does it mark a shift into modernity?

Be sure to read the Belle Epoch and WWI in the textbook before doing this essay.  It is not necessary to respond to your classmates, but you can.  This board is worth up to 100 points toward your final average.  You can select other examples of artistic production but there are examples (and helpful background) at  The Guggenheim Museum here or at the MET here . 

You can also explore Futurism at the Tate Modern in London.

One of the places where the founders of this philosophical movement was this caf in Florence, Italy.  Reading about Giubbe Rosse gives you a sense of the historical context in which this world view was created.

Remember, when reading art as a primary source, you want to ask similar contextual questions as you would with a written primary source.  A basic understanding of futurism will help you to read the visual source clearly as it will contain themes and symbolism that is typical of the larger movement.  No need to respond to a classmate this week, as I want to give you extra time to look around at these sites to select a work that interests you.