‘Radical idealists’ highlighted

A new local exhibit spotlights an influential and controversial group of early 20th century Italian artists.

"Futurism: Concepts and Imaginings" at the Boca Raton Museum of Art contains almost 40 paintings, drawings and collages from seven artists that depict the Italian Futurism movement's emphasis on portraying energy and motion.

These artists advanced a confrontational credo that embraced the new technology of the period, especially airplanes, as a path toward cultural advancement and military conquests.

"Their vision of the future was machine-driven," said museum assistant curator Kelli Bodle. "They thought machines would take over, do the work for you that you would work less."

The Italian Futurists also advocated controversial ideas like abolishing libraries and museums and supported a fascist political philosophy, Bodle said.

"They were radical idealists. They felt that there was a new age, and that as artists, rather than recycling old ideas and old themes they should be embracing new technologies and new ideas and new approaches," said museum director Steven Maklansky. "The Futurists' legacy was their aggressive pursuit of novelty and experimentation in art."

The exhibit on the museum's second floor begins with an introductory text panel explaining the artistic and political movement. On the same wall is a television screen that plays a video of an actor reciting some of movement leader F.T. Marinetti's important 1909 document, "The Futurist Manifesto."

Although exact dates for the works are unknown, they are believed to have been completed from 1930-1950, according to exhibit materials.

Pippo Rizzo's "Homage to Depero," a collage on cardboard, is one of a handful of works in this show that were completed to honor an esteemed individual. The piece features a man in a theatrical costume with sheet music in the background. In the blue sky with two white clouds is a descending black airplane trailed by its cloud of green and red smoke.

Rizzo's "Squad," an eye-catching tempera on wood painting with geometric shapes and vibrant black and blue colors, reflects the movement's fascination with military culture. The piece depicts four uniformed military members marching in lockstep, each holding a blackjack, or billy club.

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'Radical idealists' highlighted