Decoding Lettrism and Conceptual Poetry
Introduction
Poetry comes in many different forms and styles, from the traditional sonnet to the more modern free verse. Lettrism and conceptual poetry are two styles that are often overlooked but have an interesting and unique history. In this article, we will explore the roots of these two styles and learn more about them.
What is Lettrism?
Lettrism is a French avant-garde movement that developed after World War II. It was founded by Isidore Isou, who believed that art should be reinvented and poetry should be created through the manipulation of letters and words. Lettrism is characterized by its use of abstract typography, which includes painted or printed words and letters that are distorted or arranged in unconventional ways. The goal of lettrism is to create a new language through the use of typography and sound, which is intended to provoke thought and transform the way we think about language.
The Key Concepts of Lettrism
- Sound poetry
- Translation
- Alphabetism
One of the key concepts of Lettrism is sound poetry, which focuses on the sounds of words rather than their meaning. This means that lettrist poetry often includes nonsensical words and phrases, which are intended to create a musical effect. Another important concept in Lettrism is translation. Lettrist poets often incorporate different languages into their work, which creates new meanings and connections between words. Lastly, lettrism also uses alphabetism, which refers to incorporating the letters of an alphabet into a poem or artwork.
What is Conceptual Poetry?
Conceptual Poetry is a type of poetry that emerged in the 1960s, which emphasizes the concept or idea behind the poem rather than the language used. Conceptual poets are often minimalist in their approach, and they may use found texts or pre-existing language as the basis for their poems. Conceptual poets also often use chance operations to determine the content of their work, such as randomly selecting words from a dictionary or allowing computer algorithms to create the poetry.
The Key Concepts of Conceptual Poetry
- Found language
- Appropriation
- Chance operations
One of the key concepts of conceptual poetry is found language, which refers to using pre-existing language in a new context in order to create a new meaning. This can be done by appropriating texts from other sources, such as newspapers or advertisements. Another important concept in conceptual poetry is appropriation, which refers to borrowing and re-contextualizing pre-existing language without necessarily altering the text itself. Lastly, Conceptual poetry also often uses chance operations to determine the content of the poem. This can include randomly selecting words from a dictionary, using computer algorithms, or other methods of creating poetry without intention or meaning.
Lettrism and Conceptual Poetry: A Comparison
While Lettrism and Conceptual Poetry are distinct styles of poetry, they share many similarities. Both styles aim to subvert traditional approaches to poetry, and both embrace unconventional methods of creating meaning. Lettrism and Conceptual Poetry also both rely heavily on chance operations, whether through the manipulation of found language or the use of computer algorithms to create poetry.
Differences between Lettrism and Conceptual Poetry
- Approach to language
- Intention
The main difference between Lettrism and Conceptual Poetry is their approach to language. Lettrism focuses on the physical appearance and sound of language, while Conceptual Poetry emphasizes the conceptual or intellectual meaning of language. Lettrism is more concerned with exploring the possibilities of language, while Conceptual Poetry is more concerned with creating poetry that challenges pre-existing ideas and concepts.
In terms of intention, Lettrism is more concerned with creating a new language or poetry that challenges the conventions of traditional poetry. Conceptual Poetry, on the other hand, attempts to create poetry that challenges pre-existing ideas and concepts in society. In Conceptual Poetry, language is a tool for exploring ideas rather than an end in itself.
Conclusion
Lettrism and Conceptual Poetry represent two distinct approaches to poetry, but they share many similarities. Both are concerned with subverting traditional poetry approaches and creating poetry that challenges pre-existing ideas and concepts. Whether through the manipulation of language or the use of chance operations, Lettrism and Conceptual Poetry challenge us to think about language and poetry in new and unconventional ways.