Reading Response 4 – MD

The three readings each have an author that gives their point of view or perspective on art. In the first by Filippo Tommaso Marinetti, The Founding and Manifesto of Futurism, the author talks about futurism. Futurism was an Italian art movement found Marinetti, with it flourishing in the early 20th century. Futurism called artists to reject the past and to celebrate what the modern world has to offer, this was also called the mechanical world. Futurism attacked Italy’s traditions to make it it more modern; to free Italy from its innumerable museums. Futurist imagery celebrated the power of machine, while also glorifying war because they saw potential for freedom in its power to destroy. They admired the militarism and modernity of Italian fascism and the speed of the industrial age. I feel this age to be problematic because futurist artists were sucked into fascist politics, and into positions that most artists would never endorse today, such as love of war and violence, bigotry toward minorities and contempt for women. However, despite all of this futurism is still a language used in modern design.

Aleksandr Rodchenko’s Who We Are gives the idea of artists moving from expression their own vision to serving the society as a whole. All forms of artistic talents must be used constructively for the benefit of society as a whole. This idea is common even in today’s society. The use of design to effect change in our world is certainly a common aim in the field. However doing this depends more on clients and conflicting social aims. Constructivism called for a careful technical analysis of modern materials, it sought to influence architecture, fashion, and design. Rather than emerging from an expressive impulse or an academic tradition, art was to be built, it was a desire to express the experience of modern life.

El Lissitzky’s Our Book tells us his beliefs and he believed that art and life could mesh and that the former could deeply affect the latter. He identified the graphic arts, particularly posters and books, and architecture as effective conduits for reaching the public. He values the importance of communication and how tools have been made to make such a thing so much more easier. To Lissitzky, books have stayed stagnant, following the same method for years. However, the internet is an answer to the complaint against formulaic trends in books. It is a way for millions of people to communicate and work with each other. I feel like Lissitzky and Rodchenko could have some agreements on their views of art. Supporting the modern age and what it has to offer. Art has to constantly adapt to the times, and its through this evolution that it can stay relevant in the modern world.