ICEBERG, RIGHT AHEAD! NOTE ON THE TITANIC (AND FUTURISM)

Abstract

The intention of this text is to offer a timely reminder of the significance and multifaceted nature of the tragedy of the Titanic during its centenary, and primarily so within the context of its having grown into one of the most exciting and most widely spread modern myths of the Western world. Attention is called to the basic hypotheses and characteristics of this myth. Contextualized within other interesting events occurring around 1912, the “Case of the Titanic” is being connected with the (artistic) ideology of Italian Futurism, a movement which was then at its peak of activity. A belief is put forward that the sinking of the then greatest ship and the symbol of the technological progress of the modern era, was an event that would, regardless of the ship’s failure and tragic circumstances, be bound to attract the Futuristic sensibility, thereby creating an essentially familial bond between the Titanic and Futurism.