MODERN ART IN ITALY I: FUTURISM, METAPHYSICS & THE BIRTH OF MODERNISM

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Italy’s artistic heritage is extraordinary, and the innovation that had put Italy at the forefront of western art for thousands of years continued into the twentieth century. In this course, Dr Nick Gordon takes you into the beginning of modern art in Italy.

The course starts with a close look at the birth of Futurism - Italy’s first genuinely modern art movement, whose proponents such as Boccioni, Luigi Russolo and Marinetti saw the dynamism, energy and speed of modernity as a new way forward for Italy. After WWI, some futurists, such as Marinetti, became closely associated with fascism, while others such as Fortunato Depero and Benedetta Cappa took futurist ideas in quite different directions.

The second part of the course focuses on Metaphysical art, whose premise is that art is a form of philosophical exploration. The most prominent member of this movement was Giorgio de Chirico, whose work and ideas will be explored in depth in the third session, and has influenced generations of artists in Italy and betond. The fourth session looks more closely at other metaphysical painters such as Mario Sironi and Filippo de Pisis, before turning to how the ideas of this movement formed a foundation for the radical movements in Italy of the 1950s and 1960s.

COURSE CONTENT

Session 1: Futurism: speed, dynamism and the destruction of tradition

Session 2: Futurism: after World War I, between fascism and independence

Session 3: Metaphysical painting: Giorgio de Chirico

Session 4: Metaphysical painting: Mario Sironi and Filippo de Pisis

LECTURER

Dr Nick Gordon is a cultural historian and artist with an encyclopedic knowledge of European and Australian art. His research on the Italian Middle Ages and Renaissance has won numerous academic scholarships and prizes (including a University of Sydney medal in History and a PhD). He has over fifteen years’ experience speaking about history and art history to university and adult audiences, and regularly takes small groups to major modern and contemporary art events, including the Venice Biennale and Art Basel.

COURSE STRUCTURE

4 x 1.5 hour sessions Each session includes an interactive lecture and time for group discussion and analysis.

REQUIREMENTS

This course does not require any assumed knowledge, only a willingness to learn and an interest in art. Sessions require access to ZOOM (which is free), a device with a camera (such as a tablet or computer with a webcam), and an internet connection.