In the 1908 ‘Foundation and Manifesto of Futurism’, F.T. Marinetti wrote: “It is in Italy that we hurl this overthrowing and inflammatory declaration, with which we found Futurism, for we will free Italy from her numberless museums which cover her with countless cemeteries.”
The translation (by Joshua C.Taylor) may be a bit dodgy but the analogy between public art spaces and mausoleums is pretty plain. This makes it ironic that a plush new gallery in Forlì (in Emilia Romagna) should open its doors to the public with an exhibition of the works of two minor Futurist artists Fortunato Depero and Roberto Marcelli Baldessari.
Forlì is a small town in desperate need of cultural stimulus so I was happy to read of what the Dino Zoli Foundation describes as a “dynamic museum where visitors can enjoy a wide range of services: art, relax, music, reading and entertainment“.
It is situated on the second floor of a recently built complex with a Disney Store at ground level. It feels like you’re entering a high profile corporate office with automatic doors and movement sensitive lighting in the corridors and stairways. On a weekday mid-morning I was the only punter.
A brisk young man took my 6 euro and pointed me to the start of the exhibits. A female security guard tracked my movements through the gallery. I asked if I could take photos without a flash. She said I could not.
The exhibition sets paintings and collages by the two futurists as a compare and contrast exercise. Depero’s works are full of robotic figures which look pretty flat considering Futurism was meant to celebrate the movement and energy of a mechanized lifestyle. Baldessari’s works have a much warmer glow; but mostly look like they owe a lot more to Cubism rather than ,say, German Expressionism. Neither artist seemed to offer much in the way of challenge to me as a humble member of the public who the original Futurists claimed were mostly “warped by routine” and incapable of seeing with fresh eyes.
The Forlì gallery promises more exhibitions as a celebration of Marinetti’s centenary on 20th February 2009. Serious money has been invested in the space which also offers a book reference section with comfy armchairs. The exhibition has been well publicized with a striking poster but the owners need to make it more welcoming to the casual visitor if they are going to generate more custom. At the moment the experience is like going to a poorly attended conference in a 5 star hotel.
Almost a hundred of years have passed, but the Futurists’ depiction of museums as lifeless institutions is still too often a statement that rings true.
