Futurism
Describe in detail the ‘Futurism’ work below using a selection of the terms provided and your knowledge of the art movement.
-speed, energy, aggression, forceful lines, intersecting lines, superimposed shapes, menacing, crowds, urban, new technology, progression, weapon, frustration, rejecting artistic tradition, movement, strident (Loud, harsh, grating, or shrill) colours, cubism influence, the fragmentation of forms, bold colours, departure from objectivity, dynamic rhythm…
Christopher Richard Wynne Nevinson’s The Arrival, 1913
Inanimate Objects; Year 11 Artworks Blog 
Chelsea McDonald said,
May 25, 2010 at 11:14 am
Christopher Richard Wynne Nevinson’s The Arrival would appear to the the audience at first glance as highly energetic due to the use of vibrant and bold colours that have been applied in fine brush strokes with great tone to the geometric shape. The geometric shapes have been seen to have the influences of the cubism movement. Through this image and the fragmentation of forms, veiwers are able to see what seems to be a ship, this is semi abstract because although the geometric and superimposed shapes have a look of being abstract, they also make the look of a large ship.
This piece of work is interesting with a look as though there is a lot of activity happening at once. I enjoy this painting..
Bree Borg said,
May 25, 2010 at 1:10 pm
christopher richard Wyne Nevinson’s the Arrival, shows great aspects of cubism as well as aspects from the movement of futurism.
this painting is very geometric as it has straight lines. the image is highly distorted as we can not fully make out the image.
it shows the new technology and urban progression of the world and the loud, harsh colours sets the mood of new and exciting things of consumerism in the world.
we can see that there is a boat and people so it looks as if there is a warf and fishermen doing something at night.
Courtney W said,
May 25, 2010 at 3:59 pm
In Christopher Richard Wynne Nevinson’s The Arrival, (1913), there are many aspects of futurism that make it apart of the movement. The bright, bold colours as well as intersecting lines attract the eye and is appealing to the viewer. The geometric forms and intersecting lines show the influence that cubism had on futurism and futurist artists, just as it has in this particular painting. Machinery is the basis of ‘The arrival’ as there is a repetitive, geometric image of a ship. This repetition creates a rhythm throughout the painting and the intersecting lines, which are used to do so, make it look as though it is abstract or perhaps an illusion. The perspective of the ship is low (we look up to the ship), which creates a sense of intimidation or the ships power over the viewer. This could convey a message of how machinery is becoming more dominant over humans and the extreme sizes the innovations and technologies are becoming. The crowding of the forms in this painting creates busyness and movement between the forms. The clean cut lines help to define the forms within the painting, even though it is abstract and the canvas is covered all over with different forms of a ship it looks more busy and repetitive than messy. This is because the forms are defined with clean-cut lines, solid colour and the intersection of the lines blend to become apart of other forms. An example of this would be the focal point of the painting, the large ship blending into other forms such as the deck of the ship.
Madison J said,
May 25, 2010 at 8:16 pm
Christopher Richard Wynne Nevinson’s ‘The Arrival’ (1913) exhibits various elements of the Futurism movement. Although the subject matter is fragmented with intersecting lines and geometric shapes, the assorted fragments create the image of a ship; these elements show influences by the Cubism movement. All aspects of the subject matter are intertwined together, and although chaotic, the elements come together to form a complete and comprehensive image. There is a certain (but limited) amount of vivid colour, and arithmetical lines and shapes reflect the industrial revolution of the 19th and 20th centuries. There is a subtle pattern and rhythm to the geometrises of the painting, mirroring machinery in a factory. The illusion of the image of a ship is accentuated by the angle of its position; it’s dominating and overpowering, possibly representative of the new consumerist, entrepreneurial society which is governing human kind.
Clare said,
May 27, 2010 at 6:12 pm
In “The Arrival”, Christopher Richard Wynne Nevison has used a variety of techniques adopted by the ‘futurists’ to convey a time of industrial change. Many techniques such as intersecting lines and fragmenting forms have been adopted by the cubists, however futurism offers a much more exhilarating experience for the audience as it also shows energy, movement and menace.
The use of intersecting lines as well as superimposed shapes creates a crowded and strident artwork. This may confused the viewer at times however there is a lot of subject matter and makes the artwork cluttered, which continually makes the viewer interested. The use of bright colours attracts the audience and appeals to the contemporary viewer, however during the time of the Industrial revolution, this artwork would have been rejected by many critics as it is going against artistic tradition. Nevertheless overtime, art lovers and the general public have learnt to love futurism and this artwork is a perfect example.
Kim said,
May 30, 2010 at 11:03 pm
Nevison’s ‘The Arrival (1913) is a work that embodies the nature of Futuristic movement –admiration for industrial objects, speed and technology.
The work shows speed and aggression as intersecting lines fragment the forms of the passing subject matter which creates the effect of the boat, menacing and huge by it’s clear, but broken form, dominating the canvas space, moving fast and forcefully, clashing through the scenes of the wharf, of other boats, the sea and the sky. The boat moving through the water, with its hull seen at a low perspective reduces the audience and shows believe Futurist’s belief for human creation being triumphant over nature.
Bold, strident colours are used, a sign of the cubist influence. Colours portray emotion of the artist – the contrast and brightness of the colours reflect wonder, amazement and aggression, and attract interest, as they emphasise the forceful lines and the constant changing of the scenery as the boat moves along.
Not only is the Cubist influence is shown through the colours, the geometric forms reduce the subject matter to simplicity, emphasizing the movement of the subject matter, and not the detail obtained by being immobile.
By going against normal tradition of proper form, harmony and subject matter, Futurists reflected the wonder of the modern, technological world by utilizing bold, contrasting colours to create interest and appeal and creating movement through interconnecting, spanning lines and fragmentation of constantly changing scenes. This is shown through the colour pallet of yellows, reds and greens against blues, and the geometric cutting up of the subject matter – creating a semi-abstract representation of the boat, altogether a busy painting reflecting the Futuristic nature.
Lauren Sillato said,
May 31, 2010 at 12:22 am
Christopher Richard Wayne’s artwork, ‘The Arrival’ (1913) belonging to the Futuristic art movement of the 1900’s. This piece displaying many characteristics of Futurism can also be seen as an artwork highly influenced by the Cubist’s. This can be seen through many aspects of the work such as its geometric form and straight repetitious lines. Though Futurism aimed to move forward, moving away from artistic tradition to create works of bold, strident colours and fragmented forms that depicted the progression of our urban crowds and new technology.
The artwork consists of a series of intersecting lines and superimposed shapes that envelope many scenes of the arrival of a boat. This image strongly depicts on the views of the Futuristic movement commenting on the aggression, speed and modernity of the new developing age of the 20th century.
Luke S. said,
June 2, 2010 at 8:19 am
The painting The Arrival (1913), by Christopher Richard Wynne Nevinson displays many characteristics of the Futurism movement by its geometric shapes and straight lines. the image is of a a ship which is pulling up to the harbour. It can be seen as a very crowded image with the many intersecting lines and objects.
the painting also reflect some qualities of the cubist movement; the use of scattered and distorted images are use to create the image of the ships and other boats around it.
the painting is objective, this can be seen because the artist has included no faces of people displaying emotion. Although the paint can describe feelings of depression and coldness with the use of blue, then contrasted with yellow, displaying happiness, maybe the happiness of returning home from sea.
the painting is very technologic and industrial because of the high use of ships, bridges and the almost unnoticeable building in the yellow area of the painting. This suggests the advancement in technology and how crowded, aggressive and involved we become in it.
Joanna said,
June 6, 2010 at 7:02 pm
Within the work ‘The Arrival’ by Christopher Richard Wynne Nevinson there are a number of elements of the Futurism movement through the use of technique. There are sharp geometrical lines and shapes being used within the work. With the use of intersecting lines a scattered and crowed mood can be made. This therefore shows influences of cubism within the futurism movement. Within the artwork a industrial theme can be seen this is shown through the images of boats and people on the boats enclosed within the artwork. The use of loud, vibrant, bold colours and the use of forceful lines show the image of the boat and draws attention to it and makes it stand out within the artwork. The image of the boat could be seen as representation of a consumerist world.
olivia said,
June 6, 2010 at 7:28 pm
The painting ‘The Arrival’ by Christopher Richard Wynne Nevinson, is bursting with energetic forms and full of movement to the point to which the audience is exasperated by the work. The subject appears to be fragmentations of the scene of a ship coming into port, randomly superimposed and intersecting one-another to express speed and aggression of new technology in the world. The forceful lines and shapes make the work highly geometric, and hint at the influence of cubism on Futurism.
The colours are bold and strident, giving the work more power and drama. The small human figure in the foreground juxtaposed with the monumental, menacing images of ships express the common futurism idea of the power of new technology.
Hannah said,
June 21, 2010 at 4:49 pm
Christopher Richard Wynne Nevinson’s ‘The Arrival’ (1913) is a perfect example of a Futuristic work. The Futurists rejected artistic traditions of the past and looked for new ways to represent art and the future they were going to experience. They were fascinated by technology and the forthcoming years ahead and the advancements they would bring.
The work, which contains strong Cubist influence, shows a ship that has been fragmented and rearranged to create a piece that shows motion, speed and technology. The work depicts common themes of Futurism – machinery, movement and new technology.
The artist uses forceful, intersecting lines to create an energetic piece that gives the feeling of movement. He has used bold, loud colours to create a rhythm through his work. This rhythm allows the viewer to make sense of the artwork and slightly ignore the fragmentation to see the actual subject, a ship in port.
Finally, this work depicts all common characteristics of a Futuristic work. It creates a piece that shows movement and speed in a way that combines the old and the new, a Futuristic work with Cubist influence.
Andrew Gangemi said,
June 21, 2010 at 6:44 pm
Christopher Richard Wynne Nevinson’s The Arrival, 1913. is a perfect example of Futurism and has some aspects from cubism within the artwork. This work is very geometric due to its straight lines and boxed structure. In saying this the work has a lot of energy and movement with the colours and lines of the work. Everywhere you look seems to lead to a certain spot which then leads to another. This work is very distorted in terms of not really being able to make out a definite image. There seems to be a ship and people in the image which can express society and the technology at the time. In my opinion i see a ship and people which is representative of the time the work was painted. The colours and geometric lines scattered throughout the painting are then symbolic of the future to come and how it is a mystery, but is also very exciting at the same time. It is almost as if the boat is warping into the future with a lot of speed and energy, expressed by the colours and lines.
Lauren (D) said,
June 22, 2010 at 8:12 am
This painting is highly reflective of the Futuristic school of artistic style, as evident in acknowledging several indicative aspects of the work. Futurism originated with a group of Italian artists who decided that motion itself reflected the glory of the 20th century, particularly that of newly invested machinery and technology. This is evident in the illustration of a ship which is given the illusion of speed and rapid, aggressive motion through the use of various intersecting lines and overlaid shapes. The Arrival also conveys how the cubist style was a distinct influence over the futuristic movement, despite differing in its opposition against the cubist tendency to represent static subjects. It achieves this through the use of bold color and the geometric fragmentation of the form, a characteristic which is shared with cubism yet is reflective of the busy, chaotic pace of life for members of the modern, industrialized 20th century society. The brazen, unconventional manner in which the subject is depicted in the arrival conveys a celebratory tone towards the dawn of the technological development of not only civilization but in artistic style. The contrasting palette of primary reds, yellows and blues combined with the semi-abstracted form are highly expressive and effective in implying the artist’s emotions, emphasized by the composition of the subject which the audience observes from a low perspective, highlighting the awe and glory of man’s prospects for achievement and the influence of constant progression and change on everyday life potentially impacting on our sense of harmony, tranquility and unity (or lack thereof in the painting.) The primarily futuristic overtones of the work are shown through not only these elements but also the title, ‘the arrival’ indicating the dawning o a new, exciting age and enthusiasm towards the future.
bec stead said,
June 24, 2010 at 7:52 am
Christopher Richard Wynne Nevinson’s The Arrival dipicts a seemingly abstract portrayal of a boat. His use of flate planes of colour and geometric shapes make it diffucult of the audience to be able to interpret the work as first glance. Whilst the work is abstract the subject matter is still able to be viewed. The object has been broken up and different aspects are visable
tom house said,
June 24, 2010 at 9:47 am
‘ The Arrival ‘ is a artwork that produces a lot of thoughts through the viewers mind. It is very energetic with the use of line, e.g. very abstract and straight. This artwork fits into a cubism category because of the distortion used and the fragmentation of forms. The colour in the work is very bold and slightly toned in some areas but colour is also used to show objects. In the work you can see a ship that looks like it is parking into a bay. He has created the work in a abstract form but has positioned the subject matter so we can understand what is occurring in the work.
Jess said,
June 19, 2011 at 7:09 pm
Christopher Richard Waynne Nevinson painted “ The arrival” in 1913, a highly futuristic work reflecting the harsh movement of technology. This illusion of movement is created by the forceful, intersecting lines that slice through one another forming a sense of rhythm over the artwork.
The subject of a boat on the ocean has been chopped and changed around to depict a distorted, semi-abstract work. The bold colours and strong line work create a feeling of frustration, which contrasts against the smooth, calm lines that symbolise air and possibly freedom.
The geometric movement developing on the painting suggest a connection and likeness to cubism.
Steph L said,
June 20, 2011 at 12:18 pm
Christopher Richard Wynne Nevinson’s artwork The Arrival, 1913 displays aspects of dynamic rhythm, forceful, intersecting lines, and strident colours to portray this highly energetic work.
Dynamic Rhythm is evident throughout the entire artwork, you can see this as every area of the artwork is made up of a vigorous and dynamic part of the painting and this theme is carried out through the whole piece.
The various images present in the work are vectors of forceful, intersecting lines that direct the different images into unexpected directions, this style of composition challenges artistic traditions of a formally structured painting.
The contrast of strident colours of blues, green, yellow and oranges make the piece burst with energy and life, the clash of colours make the artwork appear more dramatic.
It is evident that Nevinson’s artwork presents aspects of dynamic rhythm, forceful, intersecting lines and strident colours to portray a highly energetic work.