Boccioni's Unique Forms of Continuity in Space in terms of modernity and urban life.
Boccioni's Unique Forms of Continuity in Space (figure 1) was created in Italy at the height of Futurism. Futurism was the foundation for Boccioni and his counterparts to work; it was derived from Marinetti's manifesto. This manifesto of 1909 characterised Futurism's glorification of technology and the speed associated with it. Yet Marinetti's ideas were not invented without influence. The industrialisation of Europe, as well as French movements in art and literature stimulated Marinetti's ideas.
Marinetti: The Founding and Manifesto of Futurism.
Marinetti was a young poet in his twenties at the turn-of-the-century. He was frustrated with the lack of progress in Italy compared to the rest of Europe therefore, in 1909, to prepare Italy for the great adventure of modern times he issued The Founding and Manifesto of Futurism. He attacked the old traditions of culture promoting the modern: "We intend to sing the love of danger, the habit of energy and fearlessness. Courage, audacity and revolt will be essential elements of our poetry. We affirm that the world's magnificence has been enriched by a new beauty: the beauty of speed we will glorify war - the world's only hygiene. We will destroy the museums, libraries, academies of every kind-(Apollonio, 1972, pp. 21-22). The document was published in Paris, written in French to spread the ideas throughout Europe. Marinetti was determined to reach a mass audience and unlike other modern movements an idea was created rather than a style. He wanted his concept to be expressed in every means possible - painting, sculpture, music, architecture and poetry to reform Italy's traditional culture beyond recognition. .
Marinetti's Futurism sprung from the modernity and urban life experienced throughout Europe. The Industrialization in Europe had given the machine environmental status yet Italy, with a lack of raw materials, had been left behind.
