Filippo Tommaso Marinetti correspondence and papers, 1886-1974 | WorldCat.org (original) (raw)

Summary:The largest portion of Marinetti correspondence and papers consists of letters and submissions directed to Marinetti (Series I and II), first as editor of "Poesia" and later as the leader of the futurist movement and publisher of the book series "Edizioni futuriste di Poesia." These letters, together with those from Marinetti (Series III) to an often unnamed correspondent ("Mon ami"), demonstrate how Marinetti stimulated debate about his movement in part by sending queries to a broad range of international literary figures regarding free verse or the futurist manifestos. He also critiques the writing submitted to him according to futurist criteria, and warmly praises pieces that meet his idiosyncratic standards. His correspondents, in turn, praise or critique Marinetti's writing. Of particular interest are conflicted responses to the first futurist manifesto in 1909. Letters from fellow futurists, such as Carlo Carra, ̀ Umberto Boccioni, Francesco Cangiullo, and Fortunato Depero, reveal wranglings internal to the movement, as well as the zeal with which they pursued their shared aims. After the First World War, letters are concerned with politics, and during the fascist years, many regard requests for government funding for individual futurist artists. Finally, following Marinetti's death, letters directed to Benedetta or Scrivo pertain to preservation of the futurist legacy, despite the stain of fascism, through retrospective exhibitions, anthologies, and conferences