A Slap in the Face! Futurists in Russia

This exhibition gives a fascinating insight into the Russian avant-garde during the early 20th century focusing on the relationship between Russian and Italian Futurism. Marinetti’s founding Futurist Manifesto of 1909 was printed in Russia within a week and he visited the country in 1914. Russian works are shown alongside Italians Balla, Boccioni, Carra, Russolo and Severini to demonstrate influences and divergences. Like the Italians, the Russians were fascinated by the urban and the mechanical, but they were equally interested in folk art. Paintings, lithographs and designs for ballet costumes and sets by Goncharova, Chagall, Larionov, Malevich and Popova form the core of the show. Suprematism and Constructivism are represented with collages by El Lissitzky and constructions by Rodchenko. The Balkan Wars, the First World War and the Revolution form the turbulent political backdrop to this show. Stalin was to abolish all artists’ groups in 1932.

AM