5 Minutos sobre: Concretismo

Summary

This video explores the fascinating world of concrete poetry, a movement that emerged in the 1950s as part of the literary vanguard in Brazil. The speaker discusses its key characteristics, such as spatial experimentation with the layout of text, visual-verbal fusion, and the use of minimal words. Concrete poetry draws inspiration from advertising and challenges traditional poetic forms by abolishing verses and punctuation. The influential poets Décio Pignatari, Haroldo de Campos, and Augusto de Campos are introduced, along with the two subgenres of the movement: 'Poema Práxis' and 'Poema Processo,' both of which explore dynamic language and non-verbal elements.

Takeaways

• 😀 Concrete poetry emerged in the 1950s as part of the avant-garde movements, with its origins traced to the publication of the literary magazine *Noy Cambres* in 1956.
• 😀 Concrete poetry breaks away from traditional forms by focusing on spatial arrangement, using the blank spaces of the paper in innovative ways.
• 😀 Poets in the concrete poetry movement challenged the conventional reading order of left-to-right, top-to-bottom, allowing text to be read in multiple directions (e.g., spirals, diagonals).
• 😀 Concrete poetry integrates visual and auditory elements, where the poem is not just words but also an image and sound experience, expanding the meaning beyond the literal text.
• 😀 The minimalist nature of concrete poetry means it often uses very few words, with some poems lacking punctuation, conjunctions, and traditional grammar.
• 😀 One of the major influences on concrete poetry was the rise of advertising language, which encouraged brevity and visual impact, evident in poems like *Lixo Luxo* (Trash Luxury).
• 😀 The movement’s key figures include *Décio Pignatari*, *Haroldo de Campos*, and *Augusto de Campos*, who were instrumental in shaping Brazilian concrete poetry.
• 😀 Concrete poetry led to the creation of two important sub-genres: the *poema práxis*, which explores the dynamic interaction of words, and the *poema processo*, which focuses on visual and non-verbal language.
• 😀 The *poema práxis* involves the transformation of words into new words, creating a chain of meaning through the manipulation of language itself.
• 😀 The *poema processo* de-emphasizes words in favor of visual imagery and non-verbal expression, showing that poetry does not always require language to communicate meaning.
• 😀 Concrete poetry’s innovative approach abolished the traditional concept of the verse, with poems often lacking a clear beginning or end, reflecting a radical departure from the structure of classical poetry.

Q & A

What is concrete poetry and when did it emerge?

Concrete poetry, or *poesia concreta*, is a form of experimental poetry that emerged in the 1950s, particularly with the publication of the literary magazine *Noy Cambres* in 1956. It focuses on the visual aspect of poetry, treating words and their arrangement on the page as central to the poem's meaning.

What are the key characteristics of concrete poetry?

The key characteristics of concrete poetry include spatial experimentation, where poets use the layout of words on the page in unconventional ways; integration of visual and verbal elements; minimal use of words and punctuation; and a rejection of traditional verse forms like stanzas and meter.

How does concrete poetry differ from traditional poetry in terms of structure?

Concrete poetry breaks away from traditional poetry's reliance on structured verse (meter, rhyme, and stanzas). Instead, it focuses on the spatial arrangement of words, treating the page as part of the poem. There is no fixed structure, and poems are often minimalist, with few words and no punctuation.

What role does visuality play in concrete poetry?

In concrete poetry, visual elements are just as important as the words themselves. The layout, design, and imagery created by the arrangement of words on the page contribute to the poem's meaning, making it a hybrid of visual art and verbal expression.

Can you give an example of a concrete poem and explain its significance?

An example is the poem *Lixo Luxo*, which uses the words 'lixo' (trash) and 'luxo' (luxury) arranged in a way that visually contrasts the two concepts. This layout conveys a symbolic message about consumerism, class, and waste, illustrating how concrete poetry merges word and image.

What influence did advertising have on concrete poetry?

The rise of advertising in the 1950s, with its emphasis on concise and impactful language paired with strong visual elements, influenced concrete poets. They adopted similar techniques, condensing ideas into brief, striking messages and using visual design to enhance the communication of meaning.

What are the two main subcategories of concrete poetry?

The two main subcategories of concrete poetry are *poema práxis* and *poema processo*. *Poema práxis* focuses on the transformation and exchange of words, while *poema processo* prioritizes visual elements and non-verbal language, sometimes eliminating words altogether.

Who are the major figures associated with concrete poetry?

The major figures associated with concrete poetry are Décio Pignatari, Haroldo de Campos, and Augusto de Campos. These three poets are often referred to as the 'three terrible infants' of concrete poetry due to their significant contributions to the movement.

What does the poem *Pluvial Fluvial* illustrate about concrete poetry?

The poem *Pluvial Fluvial* exemplifies the use of minimal language and visual imagery in concrete poetry. The words evoke the imagery of water, flow, and movement, with the layout contributing to the theme and the poem's impact beyond just its verbal content.

What was the main goal of concrete poets in rejecting traditional verse?

Concrete poets aimed to liberate poetry from the constraints of traditional verse forms. By removing stanzas, meter, and rhyme, they focused on the essence of language and its arrangement on the page, exploring new ways for words and space to convey meaning.