vorticism

[ vawr-tuh-siz-uhm ]

noun

, (sometimes initial capital letter)

1. a short-lived avant-garde British art movement that was nurtured by Wyndham Lewis, derived from futurism and cubism, and reached its climax in an exhibition in London in 1915, dwindling in influence after World War I.

vorticism

/ ˈvɔːtɪˌsɪzəm /

noun

1. an art movement in England initiated in 1913 by Wyndham Lewis combining the techniques of cubism with the concern for the problems of the machine age evinced in futurism

Derived Forms

• ˈvorticist, noun

Other Words From

• vorti·cist noun adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of vorticism¹

1910–15; < Latin vortic-, stem of vortex vortex + -ism

Word History and Origins

Origin of vorticism¹

C20: referring to the "vortices" of modern life on which the movement was based

Example Sentences

Artists saw Cubism or Futurism or Vorticism, a British avant-garde movement.

From New York Times

And corporate spiel as manifesto: Blanchett’s sleek blond CEO, all air kisses and coos of “darling,” reads reassuringly from index cards, her words drawing on statements from the Blue Rider movement as well as the schools of vorticism and abstract expressionism.

From Los Angeles Times

Italy’s Futurism and Britain’s Vorticism celebrated movement and even violence, enthusiasms that lost some appeal because of two world wars.

From Washington Post

A round 1940s mahogany table, supporting a classical-style bronze nude, centers the lofty space, while the floor is softened by a chain-stitch carpet—a Hicks design for the Rug Company—bearing radiant motifs inspired by Britain's Vorticism movement of the early 20th century.

From Architectural Digest

It was an eccentric idea inspired by the most cutting edge contemporary art of the time; namely Cubism, Futurism and Vorticism.

From BBC