Futurists’ Influence

So “TV is unlikely to bring us ‘The Italian Futurists’ and their anarchic tale of celebrating speed, chaos and violence,” according to Christopher Knight (“Familiar Impressionists Ideal for TV,” June 2)?

Given the sensationalist nature of mass media, the story of the Futurists would seem to be ideal for a television portrayal, especially considering their enormous, ubiquitous influence on pop culture at large.

The influence of Futurism, and its aesthetics of shock value, industrial aesthetics, fast cars and fast living is all around, its imprint seen upon youth cultures from the Beats, bikers and hot-rodders of the ‘50s to today’s Goths. The lack of TV exposure for the Futurists can be attributed to a lack of historical insight on the part of the media and an inability to put two and two together.

The Italian Futurists would be perfect TV fodder, perhaps in a program hosted by Marilyn Manson, whose music and videos are more than a little influenced by the legacy of the Futurists.

MICHAEL SNIDER

Santa Monica