EZRA POUND AND THE ART OF VORTICISM
EZRA POUND AND THE ART OF VORTICISM

Summary/Abstract: The article’s purpose is to investigate the concept of vorticism developed by an ex pat American poet Ezra Pound, within his activity as a revolutionary poet, critic, art historian, translator and prominent figure of the avaunt garde bohemian circle of London before and after WWI. In fact, an important movement that sprang at the time took his concept as its name. Vorticism is considered to be the first real modern expression of the artistic rebellion residing in London in the 20th century. While the so called Bloomsbury circle that shared the same central London environment succumbed to the free lifestyle and unlimited aestheticism as a response to the roar of the industrial age and the Victorian morale, Vorticsist (possibly due to their lower classes upbringing) were adamant at changing the consciousness of the masses utilizing effects that questioned the pre established social identities of the British citizen. So, while the Bloomsburies were passive, Vorticsist acted their beliefs. They crashed like a comet on the London intellectual scene. Sadly, very soon, the much bigger crash in the form of the Great War foreshadowed their efforts. Many got killed, some came back disappointed. Pound and Wydham Lewis never surrendered their fight. As a result, they paid a very high price. An observation into their work as critics of the art and of the society might reveal their influence in London at the time and could scotch the reasons behind their downfall

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