Ultraism is a literary movement.
In order to know the meaning of the term ultraism , the first thing we are going to do is determine its etymological origin. In this sense, we can say that it derives from Latin, since it is the result of the sum of the prefix “ultra”, which is equivalent to “beyond”, and the suffix “-ism”, which can be translated as “doctrine” or “ motion".
Ultraism is the name of a current of literature that emerged in Spanish territory in 1918 in opposition to modernism . The movement brought together Spanish and Latin American writers who shared aesthetic criteria and who were committed to a change in the dominant techniques and philosophies.
Rise of ultraism
Ultraism began to develop in gatherings that took place in a Madrid cafe under the direction of Rafael Cansinos Assens . Authors such as Juan Larrea , Pedro Garfias , Lucía Sánchez Saornil and Gerardo Diego became habitués of these gatherings and protagonists of the group . In Latin America , the Argentine Jorge Luis Borges was one of the main exponents of ultraism.
Magazines such as “Horizonte” , “Ultra” , “Reflector” and “Alfar” , in this way, became spaces for the dissemination of ultraist works. The use of metaphors , the use of neologisms and technical terms, the omission of superfluous adjectives and the indifference towards rhyme are some of the main characteristics of these works.
Ultraism shares characteristics with futurism.
Main features
In addition to everything stated above, we have to highlight another series of relevant data about this literary current or movement, such as these:
-It is considered that ultraist poetry is characterized by being hermetic, by being far from objectivity and by focusing on the subjectivity of the artist in question.
-It had many aspects and characteristics coinciding with futurism.
-Although, as we have mentioned, Borges was and is considered a faithful example of ultraism, we must know that there was a moment in which he was described as a deserter of it. Specifically, that was something that happened when he published the work “Fervor de Buenos Aires”, since this work was a compendium of memories, longings and emotions that the aforementioned Argentine city awakened in him.
All the principles of ultraism were collected in a manifesto published for the first time at the beginning of 1919 . This text was signed by several authors who were part of the group, such as the aforementioned Garfias and Pedro Iglesias Caballero .
Some references of ultraism
Of course, we must not overlook other writers who are also considered perfect examples of ultraism. We are referring specifically to Guillermo de la Torre, who is considered the father of the term that gave its name to this literary current or movement. Among his most relevant works are “Vertical Manifesto” (1920) or “The Mirror and the Path” (1968).
Drawing comparisons with other movements, ultraism was contrary to modernism since ultraists rejected ornamentation and pomp. On the other hand, the movement was close to creationism and those avant-garde groups that were distant from sentimentalism. The creationist Vicente Huidobro , for example, participated in many ultraism gatherings.