2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25
Architectural futurism is an independent art form, united under the general name of the futuristic movement that appeared at the beginning of the twentieth century and includes poetry, literature, painting, clothing and much more. Futurism implies a desire for the future - both for the direction in general and for architecture in particular, the characteristic features are anti-historicism, freshness, dynamics and hypertrophied lyricism. Futurism gained particular popularity in the architecture of the USSR, becoming a symbol of the construction of a new life.
Definition
The year of the emergence of futurism in architecture can be considered 1912, since this year the Italian architect Antonio Sant'Elia first depicted a futuristic vision of urban forms on paper. From 1912 to 1914 he created a famous series of sketches on this subject. Then he published his "Manifestoarchitecture of futurism". Before that, the style existed only in the abstract description of the cities of the future, through the efforts of Sant Elia, drawings of futuristic buildings suitable for real construction appeared. The founder of futurism in architecture is shown in the photo below.
By definition, the futuristic form of architecture is a mirror image of all architectural canons that existed before the 20th century. Thus, this architecture is, first of all, ahistorical and fantasy - it either lacks a clear symmetry, or, on the contrary, there is hypertrophied symmetry, and instead of the usual decorations in the form of columns, windows and bas-reliefs, there are only forms that are not similar to anything, bold lines and maximum dynamics. The main materials are glass, metal and plain concrete - the form prevails over the content.
Examples from world architecture
Despite the fact that architectural futurism originated at the beginning of the twentieth century, it did not come to real construction right away - at the peak of popularity was the Art Deco style, which did not give up its positions until the start of World War II. The most famous futuristic buildings were built during the 50-70s, their construction was associated with the beginning of the era of passion for space and extraterrestrial civilizations. These include, for example, the Jack Langston Library in California (built in 1965), The Theme Building in Los Angeles (1961), the Geisel Library in San Diego (1970). Below in the photofuturism in the architecture of the above buildings.
In the early 70s, futuristic buildings went beyond the US and began to appear in various parts of the world - these include the Cathedral in Brasilia, the Ferro House in Zurich and the Opera House in Sydney.
Origin in the USSR
The futuristic trend in all branches of art reached its maximum popularity in the pre-revolutionary period of Russia, and then in the 20s and early 30s. Futurism seemed necessary in the construction of a new state - people welcoming the revolution wanted to destroy all the foundations, sweep away old traditions and start life from a new leaf. The Soviet Union could well have become the owner of the very first futuristic buildings in the world, but, alas, Stalin, who came to power, liked other architectural styles, which later received the half-joking name "Stalin's Rococo". And after the war, when it turned out that the main founder of futurism, Filippo Tommaso Marinetti, was an adherent of Italian fascism, the direction received a strict ban.
Examples in domestic architecture
The first buildings with the use of futurism in the architecture of the USSR were built after the 60s, as in the United States, in the wake of enthusiasm for space flights. And although the Soviet Union was not the first in the construction of buildings of the future, very soon it became the richest in such architecture - almost all libraries, cultural centers, theaters and cinemas, airportsand stadiums from the 60s to the 80s were built in a futuristic style. The brightest examples of Soviet futurism in architecture are the building of the famous Moscow Art Theater in Moscow, built in 1973, the Druzhba building of the Y alta sanatorium Kurpaty, built in 1984, and the building that housed the Ministry of Highways of the Georgian SSR, created in 1975.
Famous futurist architects
One of the most productive futurist architects is the Brazilian Oscar Niemeyer, a contemporary of the origin of the style in the 20s and one of its main populists in the 60s. He owns the authorship of the aforementioned Cathedral in Brasilia, as well as "Copan" - a futuristic residential building in Sao Paulo (1951), the Palace of the National Congress and the Government Palace in Brasilia (both 1960), the Museum of Modern Art in Rio de Janeiro (1996).
Another famous futurist is Dane Jorn Watson, the author of the Sydney Opera House project. In addition to this world famous building, Watson created the Water Tower in Swanek (1952) and the National Assembly in Kuwait (1982).
Moshe Safdie, an Israeli-born Canadian and American architect, has designed over fifty different futuristic buildings. His imagination belongs to the famous residential complex in Montreal Habitat 67 (1967), which became the basis for many similar buildings in different countries, a futuristic buildingMuseum of Fine Arts, Montreal (1991) and Marina Bay Sands Hotel, Singapore (2010).
Futurist architects in the USSR
Russian architects committed to futurism in architecture, first of all, should include Mikhail Posokhin, the author of the projects of the Kremlin Palace of Congresses (1961), the buildings of the Northern Chertanov (1975) and the Olimpiysky Sports Complex (1977).
Other famous Soviet architects - Dmitry Burdin and Leonid Batalov - co-created the world-famous Ostankino TV Tower (1967) and the Moscow Air Terminal (1964). In addition, Dmitry Burdin acted as the architect of the futuristic hotel complex Izmailovo (1980).
Modern futurism in architecture
With the modern growth and rapid development of countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, China, Azerbaijan, the futuristic style has revived again, this time announcing entire cities. A striking example is a whole complex of buildings in the center of Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.
The Burj Al Arab Hotel (literally translated as "Arab Tower"), built in the UAE capital Dubai in 1999, also refers to futurism in architecture. In addition, in Dubai, in the very center, there is a unique Wave Tower and a whole series of futuristic skyscrapers.
In 2007, the "Neo-Futuristic State Manifesto" was published, which gave impetus to the revival of this style. The speed and richness of life in the above countries turns them into real "cities of the future" in relation to the vast majority of the architectural traditions of the so-called "Old World", before the ultra-modern world, committed to futurism in architecture, like half a century ago.
Recommended:
Kraplak red: description, application and photo
The article gives brief information about red kraplak - red paint from plants used since antiquity. It will be told about its production and application for oil and other paints, modern synthetic analogues of the substance, as well as the possibility of mixing the pigment with other paints and dyes and the results of such a combination
Natural scale: description of the concept, order of construction
This article discusses the concept of natural scale in music. Its standard construction and formation from notes D and F is reflected. It also reveals the definition of overtones and tells what the scale for instruments from the brass section is
Futurism in painting is Futurism in painting of the 20th century: representatives. Futurism in Russian painting
Do you know what futurism is? In this article, you will get acquainted in detail with this trend, futurist artists and their works, which changed the course of the history of art development
Vanguard in architecture: history, description of style, photo
Burning bridges and abandoning the past, a new look at the new time, a shocking defiant beast with a screaming voice - all this is the avant-garde in architecture. After the revolution of 1917, the artistic life of the country changed rapidly: young innovative artists set themselves the goal of creating a new art that would meet the requirements of modern times. They designed a new life, tried to change their environment. First of all, this was expressed in the most striking phenomenon - architecture
Rococo style in European architecture. Rococo in Russian architecture
Quirky and whimsical, this style originated in France in the early 18th century. Rococo in architecture was not so much an independent direction as a certain moment in the development of the pan-European Baroque
