This year marks the 100th anniversary for the first avant-garde movement of the 20th Century, Italy's Futurism.  In 1909, poet Filippo Tommaso Marinetti published the ‘Manifesto Futurista' in Paris.  This was a watershed in art and literary history and marked the inception of  the ‘Futurists'.  To celebrate the momentous event, Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Chicago presents "Celebrating Marinetti's Manifesto" a collection of diverse paintings, prints, drawings, and documents lent by the Vittoria Marnetti Milanese Archive, Northwestern University Library and other private collectors.  The exhibition was curated by Enrico Crispolte and will run until July 30, 2009.

Pasqualino Canguillo, The Duel (1915), black and red ink on paper, 13 1/2 x 20 inches. photograph courtesy of Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Chicago.

"Up to now, literature has exalted a pensive immobility, ecstasy, and sleep.  We intend to exalt aggressive action, a feverish insomnia, the racer's stride, the mortal leap, the punch and the slap.  We affirm that the world's magnificence has been enriched by a new beauty:  the beauty of speed...We will fight moralism, feminism, every opportunistic or utilitarian cowardice."

--Excerpt from Marinetti's "Manifesto Futuristo"

Works by Ivo Pannaggi, Umberto Boccione, Achille Lega, Hugo Scheiber, Bendetta Cappa Marinetti, Enrico Prampolini, Guiseppe Steiner and Pasqualino Cangiullo are all featured.

Umberto Boccioni, Stati D'Animo (1911-1912), reproductions in china ink of tryptich paintings now in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, photograph courtesy of Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Chicago.

Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Chicago was established in 1985 and is the cultural office of the Consulate General of Italy in Chicago.  The office is the City's premier outlet for information and events relating to Italian culture.  The Istituto offers programming in film, art, science, language, design, and technology.  The office is located at 500 N Michigan Avenue, Suite 1450.  Hours of operation are Monday-Friday from 9 am to 1 pm, 2 pm to 5 pm.

--Robyn Farrell Roulo