Futurist Sound

Description:

Futurist Sound is a re-enactment of fourteen Futurist sintesi: short plays considered by Anna Banana and William Gaglione as “the forerunners of contemporary performance art.” These short plays were debuted at Futurist-style theatrical events known as serate, evenings that typically presented provocative performances and noisy instruments as a means to provoke, stir controversy, and challenge traditional modes and social customs of theatre. 

Banana and Gaglione’s presentation of these works in 1979 highlights a number of anachronisms within the content. Since their initial publication, The Futurists’ nihilist and misogynistic reputation makes the viewing of Futurist Sound uncomfortable at times. However, many aspects of the performance are highly entertaining, including Banana and Gaglione’s dynamic experimental readings, nonsensical acts, and expressive acting.

As a series of “recreations,” the likeness of Futurist Sound to the original sintesi performances can be queried: Have the artists altered the script? Used alternative props? Produced their own choreography? Switched gender roles? The full extent of their intervention in the original Futurist script is left intentionally ambiguous, exemplifying the adaptability of the serate form.

Sinesti in order of appearance: 

Bruno Cora and Emilio Sentinelli, “Negative Act”
Francesco Canguillo, “Sound”
Mario Dessi, “Waiting”
Francesco Cangiullo, “Vowel Refrains”
Giacomo Balla, “To Understand Weeping”
Umberto Boccioni, “Bachelor Apartment”
Angelo Rognoni, “Education” 
Paulo Poussi, “Parallel Piping” 
Giacomo Balla, “Disconcerted States of Mind” 
Gina and Bruno Corra, “Alternation of Character” 
Fortunato de Perro, “Colours”
Filippo Tommaso Marinetti, “Silences Speak Amongst Themselves” 
Bruno Corra and Emilio Sentinelli, “Faced with the Infinite”
Mario Calle, “States of Mind”  

Presented as part of the Living Art Performance Festival.