“Futurism and the City of Tomorrow” – at NYU
The interdisciplinary panel Beyond the Skyline: Futurism and the City of Tomorrow explored the evolution of Futurism in art, urban design, and architecture. The panel was held at NYU’s Casa Italiana Zerilli Marimò on January 31st.
The event brought together scholars to discuss Futurism’s lasting impact on cities, society, and culture. Scholars such as Ara Merjian (NYU Professor), Spyros Papapetros (Princeton University), Ali Rahim (UPenn/Contemporary Architecture Practice), and Vito Adriaensens (NYU) were some of the few figures mentioned amongst the panel.
Merjian explained the origins of futurism, born in 1909, and its representation in various revolutions. He continued to describe how the movement evolved into a vision of a semi-industrialized future. Adriaensens defined Futurism as radical, highlighting its lasting impact on contemporary architecture. Its principles have shaped and influenced modern cityscapes and have embodied futuristic ideals. New York City is an example that goes a step beyond what Futurists had begun to imagine.
Beyond architecture, scholars mentioned how Futurism can also be presented through various art forms. Movies such as Mad Max have been influenced by futurist aesthetics, inspiring dystopian to cyberpunk cinema. This demonstrated Futurism’s continuing impact on society and the imagination of future societies.
Sources:
– Georgia Guerrero
