07/03/18

Exploring futurism: The life and work of Giacomo Balla

Books & Exhibitions

One of the most compelling books recently created and published at Spinach centred around Italy. The Life Negroni took our team travelling around the country in search of the elements, people, arts, and ideas that make this classic cocktail so timeless. On our journey, we came across the rich archives of Campari and Martini – private collections bursting with rare and unseen works of art by the Italian futurists. So, we were incredibly excited to receive a copy of FuturBalla: Life Light Speed, a book dedicated to the work of one of the leaders of this movement Giacomo Ballà.

The Italian artist’s inventive and innovative style helped forge a fundamental link between Italian art and the classic avant-garde. Born at an exciting historical time for Italy in Turin in 1875, Ballà moved to the new capital Rome where he developed his original style rich in glowing streaks, bold contrasts of light and dark, a daring perspective, and a love of detail. He was fascinated by the power and speed of machines and of cars which he saw as characteristics of the modern age.

Ballà embraced futurism in his studies between 1912 and 1924 entitled Iridescent Interpenetrations, dissecting modernity through the colourful synthesis of individual elements of light. In Lines of Speed, completed in 2013, the artist explores movement and dynamism in a rapidly evolving society.

FuturBalla presents the work and life of Ballà. This is the most complete monograph on the artist presenting works from public and private collections, the Tate Modern and Estorick Collection in London, Albright-Knox Art Gallery in Buffalo, and the Israel Museum of Jerusalem. The 200 colour illustrations here are supported by insightful essays by the editor, the art historia Ester Coen and contributors Vincenzo Barone, Zelda De Lillo, and Luca Francesco Ticini.

FuturBalla: Life Light Speed is edited by Ester Coen and published by Skira.

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