CENTURIPE.- A significant art exhibition opening tomorrow, Saturday, June 21, 2025, at the Antiquarium Exhibition Center in Centuripe (located between Enna and Catania) aims to illuminate a fascinating yet often overlooked chapter of Italy's famed Futurist movement. Titled "Futurism and Sicilian Futurists," and curated by Simona Bartolena, the show will explore the unique evolution and impact of Futurism in Sicily.


⚡ Step into the dynamic world of Futurism! Explore books and prints featuring the art of Giacomo Balla.


A Vibrant Local Scene

While figures like Umberto Boccioni took their initial artistic steps on the island, and Palermo artists like Pippo Rizzo achieved international fame in the late 1920s, the enduring strength of Sicilian Futurism has often been underestimated. Many artists, despite opportunities elsewhere, chose to stay in Sicily, deeply rooting their modern sensibilities in the island's rich culture.


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"With the exhibition on Futurism, Centuripe confirms itself as a center of lively cultural interest, capable of shining a spotlight on one of the Island's most fertile artistic periods," stated Nello Musumeci, a Minister of the Republic. He added that the Sicilian Futurists, "still unjustly understudied, left behind works of great value, some of which will be presented for the appreciation of the public and scholars."

The exhibition seeks to rediscover this little-explored heritage and present the history of Futurism from fresh perspectives. Visitors will see works by celebrated masters like Balla and Boccioni alongside remarkable artists such as Giulio D’Anna, Pippo Rizzo, and Vittorio Corona. The show also includes pieces by Fortunato Depero, created in Sicily for local patrons. With approximately 40 paintings sourced from prestigious Italian collections, many rarely seen by the public, the exhibition promises to recreate the vibrant atmosphere of the movement as originally envisioned by Filippo Tommaso Marinetti.

Francesco Paolo Scarpinato, Sicily's Councilor for Cultural Heritage and Sicilian Identity, expressed pride in the initiative. "We are proud to have contributed to the understanding of Sicilian Futurism, which represents one of the most expressive yet lesser-known forms on the Island, and rarely accessible to the public," he said, emphasizing the exhibition's role in promoting Sicily's beautiful inland regions.

Beyond the Early Years: Futurism's Enduring Legacy

Futurism, an internationally recognized avant-garde movement of the early 20th century, has been the subject of extensive study. Known for its embrace of noise, dynamism, and visionary ideas, it marked a radical break in Italian culture, ushering in modernity.

While much historical focus remains on the movement's inception, from the 1909 Futurist Manifesto to Boccioni's death in 1916, this exhibition highlights the crucial two decades that followed. This period showcased Futurism's ability to adapt and evolve, resisting the "Return to Order" that characterized much of post-WWI European art. Even while marginalized by official art in the 1930s, Futurism fostered a complex cultural network of events, performances, exhibitions, and publications, demonstrating a vital energy that spread beyond elite centers into smaller towns and peripheries.

"It is surprising how 'major art history' has largely marginalized this second phase of Futurism," noted curator Simona Bartolena. "This exclusion was also influenced by the controversial relationship with the fascist government, often simplified or misunderstood. With this exhibition, we aim to re-evaluate and clarify this less-known second phase of the Futurist Avant-garde, rediscovering not only its major protagonists but also some less celebrated figures, who are surprisingly original in their personalities and artistic language."

The Exhibition Layout: A Thematic Journey

The exhibition is structured thematically, weaving in important discussions on topics like the myth of the city and the movement's relationship with political regimes and the World Wars.

Visitors will begin with "The Origins" of Futurism, featuring foundational works by Umberto Boccioni, Luigi Russolo, and Giacomo Balla. Sections will then explore "Abstract Tendencies" within Italian art, "Speed, Dynamism, Simultaneity" as key Futurist concepts, and "A Futurist Universe," illustrating the movement's broad influence across applied arts, design, theater, and music.

A particularly insightful section will be dedicated to "Aerofuturism and Cosmic Futurism" of the 1930s, showcasing a re-evaluated period with works by artists such as Crali, Dottori, and Fillia. The exhibition culminates with "Sicilian Futurism," providing a dedicated space for artists like Giulio D’Anna, Pippo Rizzo, and Vittorio Corona, inviting the public to appreciate their talent and the intense creativity the movement found in Sicily.

"Centuripe is proud to host an exhibition that shines a spotlight on an extraordinary but underexplored page of our artistic history," stated Salvatore La Spina, Mayor of Centuripe. "Sicilian Futurism, with its innovative strength and its deeply insular roots, represents a cultural heritage that deserves to be rediscovered and valued."



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