Giacomo Balla, Abstract Speed + Sound (1913-14),
New York, The Guggenheim Museum
The early 20th century witnessed an explosion of radical new art movements. In the previous century, the Impressionists had broken with many of the conventions of European academic art, in order to explore new ways of representing the visual world. Their strong, bright colours and loose brushwork horrified the art establishment, but delighted a growing new community of art dealers and collectors, both in Europe and America. By 1900 their techniques had almost become mainstream. For younger artists, though, there was still much, much more to explore and express.
The Fauves began to use colour, not to represent observed reality, but as a language in itself. The Cubists shattered the fixed perspective of western art and depicted a world of facets and geometric forms. In Italy, the Futurists painted and sculpted the very essences of technology, energy and speed in startling and often violent paintings. By 1914 modern art had developed at break-neck pace, and in a hundred different directions. These taster sessions will convey the exhilarating feeling of this period.
RJW F212213 Online freelance course (via Zoom)
A 5-hour “taster” course, delivered via 2 x 2½-hour sessions on consecutive Saturdays (Saturday 4 & Saturday 11 December, 10.00-12.30).
£25 (individual registration); £38 (for two people sharing one screen). To register, please complete this form.