Ultraisms

Ultraisms refers to a group of early 20th-century avant-garde literary and artistic movements that emerged primarily in Italy and Spain. These movements, often characterized by their radical experimentation and rejection of traditional artistic conventions, shared a common desire to push the boundaries of expression and explore new aesthetic territories. While distinct in their specific manifestos and focuses, they collectively represent a surge of creative energy that sought to redefine art in the modern era.

Key ultraist movements include Futurism, founded by Filippo Tommaso Marinetti, which celebrated dynamism, speed, technology, and violence, and aimed to break free from the past. Another significant movement was Creationism, pioneered by Vicente Huidobro, which advocated for the creation of new realities within the poem, emphasizing the autonomy of the literary work. In Spain, Ultraism, led by figures like Guillermo de Torre and Jorge Luis Borges, sought to purify poetry by eliminating descriptive elements, sentimentalism, and rhetorical excess, focusing instead on metaphor and the creation of vivid imagery. These movements shared a fascination with modernity, urban life, and the potential of new technologies, often incorporating elements of simultaneity and fragmentation in their works. Their influence, though often short-lived as distinct movements, was considerable, paving the way for later avant-garde developments and contributing to the broader artistic landscape of the early 20th century.