Speed and Convulsive Beauty: Trains and the Historic Avant-garde

What is it about?

The train, an invention and evocative symbol of the 19th century, somewhat ironically continued to fascinate avant-garde artists and writers of the 20th century, when faster and more exciting modes of transportation were in use. Locomotive imagery in Italian Futurism and French Surrealism, however, demonstrates a lasting fascination with speed, locomotive space, and their effect on perceptions of reality. Considering the work of more recent theorists like Paul Virilio, Michel Foucault and various others who have contributed to the growing field of mobility studies, this paper aims to understand the persisting presence of the train as a symbol of an alternative reality in historic avant-garde work, particularly that of the Italian Futurists and the French Surrealists.

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Photo by Rafik Wahba on Unsplash

Photo by Rafik Wahba on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This essay is an exploration into the symbol of the train in historic avant-garde art and literature, particularly Italian Futurism and French Surrealism. Examining the evolution in meaning and significance of the train throughout the inter-war years, this essay applies the theories of Paul Virilio, Michel Focault, and various others in the growing field of mobility studies, elucidating how the specific qualities of speed and locomotive space contribute to the importance of train imagery in some of the most experimental literature and art of the period. Despite the presence of the train in the work of these 20th century avant-garde figures, modernity scholars have largely overlooked this topic because it was so important for 19th century modernism, and because newer and more exciting modes of transportation were in use by the turn of the century. This essay helps to address the gap.