First of all well done all, I thought the event ran really well and gave us a good idea of where the project stands. I'd like to pass on some general comments and thoughts from myself and my friends who attended, which I think are worth throwing into the mix:
1) I think the point about optimism not being apparent enough was fair, apart from Eva's optimistic recipes.
2) My friends pointed out that there wasn't enough technology apparent, or more specifically the belief in technology as the 'saviour of mankind' that existed in the original futurist ideology. Perhaps we (the group and the world) are too habituated to technology for this to be a realistic proposition in the new century; but we should at least explore the issue.
3) And talking of issues, there has to be a sensible defence of the fascist accusation. Its a serious topic and dodging the question or saying we pick and mix only the parts of the ideology we like will never satisfy. People will want to know; 'if you believe part A, do you believe part B?'
Neofuturist food for thought!
Mike
http://dazzleship.blogspot.com/2007/05/brief-comments-on-futurism-facism.html
ReplyDeleteThese comments echo my own...Marinetti was sidelined by Mussolini as a maverick and outlived his usefulness to the burgeoning fascist movement exceedingly quickly. I am also not aware of any other member of the Futurists having a similar political connection.
We should debate this at our next meeting and get it all out in the open, as I think it's ultimately a distraction from the work.
And here a link to a standard marxist critique
ReplyDeletehttp://www.marxist.com/ArtAndLiterature/italian_futurism_and_fascism.html
Yes, I think you have put your finger on it there, Joe. The danger is that this issue will overshadow the work, unless we can show we have considered it and have a response.
ReplyDeleteA full response/ rebuttal to the association with fascism has already been dealt with here at http://neofuturist.blogspot.com/2008/02/neo-futurism-new-fascism.html - that was why I didn't want to have to go into it again
ReplyDelete