What is Lettrism and when was it established?

Lettrism is a French avant-garde movement that was established in Paris in the mid-1940s. It was founded by Isidore Isou, a Romanian immigrant.

What are the theoretical foundations of the Lettrist movement?

The theoretical roots of Lettrism are found in the earlier avant-garde movements of Dada and Surrealism. Isidore Isou, the founder, saw Tristan Tzara as a key figure in Dada but criticized other Surrealists for stagnation.

What is the origin of the name 'Lettrism'?

The name 'Lettrism' originates from the French word for 'letter.' This name was chosen because many of the movement's early works centered on letters and other visual or spoken symbols.

Besides 'Lettrism,' what other names have been used for the movement or its activities?

The movement has also been referred to by other names, including 'the Isouian movement,' 'youth uprising,' 'hypergraphics,' 'creatics,' 'infinitesimal art,' and 'excoördism,' reflecting the diverse nature of its activities beyond just letters.

When and where was Isidore Isou born?

Isidore Isou, the founder of Lettrism, was born Isidore Goldstein in Botoșani, Romania, on January 31, 1925. He later moved to Paris.

How did Isidore Isou view his own name?

Isidore Isou resisted the interpretation of 'Isou' as a pseudonym, stating that it was his given name, written differently in Romanian but adopted as Isou in French. He also noted he was not ashamed of his birth name, Goldstein.

When did Isou begin developing the principles of Lettrism?

Isidore Isou began developing the principles of Lettrism between 1942 and 1944, while still in Romania, before relocating to Paris.

When and with whom did Isou found the Letterist movement in Paris?

Isou founded the Letterist movement in Paris in November 1945, shortly after his arrival, in collaboration with Gabriel Pomerand.

What significant action did Isou and Pomerand take in 1946?

In 1946, Isou and Pomerand disrupted a performance of Tristan Tzara's play 'La Fuite' at the Vieux-Colombier theater. They also published 'La Dictature Lettriste: cahiers d'un nouveau régime artistique,' which proclaimed Letterism as the sole contemporary avant-garde movement.

What were Isou's first books published by Gallimard, and what did they cover?

Isou's first books published by Gallimard in 1947 were 'Introduction à une nouvelle poésie et à une nouvelle musique' (Introduction to a New Poetry and a New Music), which outlined his theories on poetry and music's historical development, and 'L'Agrégation d'un nom et d'un messie' (Aggregation of a Name and a Messiah), which discussed the genesis of his ideas and explored Judaism.

Which key members joined the Lettrist group in 1947?

François Dufrêne joined Isou and Pomerand in the Lettrist movement in 1947.

What controversial book did Isou publish in 1949, and what were its consequences?

In 1949, Isou published 'Isou, ou la mécanique des femmes' (Isou, or the mechanics of women), the first of his works on erotology. He claimed to have had relations with 375 women and offered explanations, leading to the book being banned and Isou briefly imprisoned.

What significant political theory work did Isou publish in 1949?

In 1949, Isou also published 'Traité d'économie nucléaire: Le soulèvement de la jeunesse' (Treatise of Nuclear Economics: Youth Uprising), marking his entry into political theory.

Who joined the Lettrist group in 1950, and what key publications emerged?

In 1950, Maurice Lemaître, Jean-Louis Brau, Gil J. Wolman, and Serge Berna joined the group. This year also saw the publication of Isou's first metagraphic novel, 'Les journaux des dieux,' along with works by Pomerand and Lemaître, and the first manifestos of Letterist painting.

What notable event occurred at Nôtre Dame cathedral involving Letterists in 1950?

In 1950, some younger Letterists invaded Nôtre Dame cathedral during Easter mass, which was broadcast live on national television, to declare that God is dead to the congregation.

What was the stated purpose of Letterists causing scandals, according to a 1950 FAQ?

According to a Letterist FAQ published in the first issue of Lemaître's journal 'Ur,' the group stated that they do not create scandals but rather break the 'conspiracy of silence' imposed by journalists and confront those who displease them.

What significant films were produced by Letterists in 1951?

In 1951, Isou completed his first film, 'Traité de bave et d'éternité.' This was followed by films from other members, including Lemaître's 'Le film est déjà commencé?,' Wolman's 'L'Anticoncept,' Dufrêne's 'Tambours du jugement premier,' and Guy Debord's 'Hurlements en faveur de Sade.'

How did Guy Debord become involved with the Lettrists in 1951?

Guy Debord joined the Lettrist group in April 1951 when they traveled to Cannes to screen Isou's film 'Traité de bave et d'éternité' at the Cannes Film Festival. A special prize for 'best avant-garde' was created for Isou's film under the auspices of Jean Cocteau.

What led to the formation of the Letterist International in 1952?

In 1952, following an intervention at a Charlie Chaplin press conference, Guy Debord, Gil J. Wolman, and Serge Berna split from Isou's group to form the Letterist International. This split was partly documented in the first issue of 'Ion,' a journal devoted to Letterist film.

In what artistic domains did Isou expand his work in 1953?

In 1953, Isou expanded his artistic explorations into photography with 'Amos, ou Introduction à la métagraphologie,' theatre with 'Fondements pour la transformation intégrale du théâtre,' painting with 'Les nombres,' and dance with 'Manifeste pour une danse ciselante.'

What new concept did Isou introduce in 1956?

In 1956, Isou introduced the concept of infinitesimal art in his work 'Introduction à une esthétique imaginaire' (Introduction to Imaginary Aesthetics).

What significant event occurred in the music world related to Lettrism in 1958?

In 1958, Columbia Records released the first audio recordings of Letterist poetry, titled 'Maurice Lemaître presente le lettrisme.'

How did Isidore Isou respond to Asger Jorn's critique of Letterism in 1960?

In 1960, after Asger Jorn published a critique of Letterism titled 'Originality and Magnitude (on the system of Isou),' Isou replied at length in 'L'Internationale Situationniste, un degré plus bas que le jarrivisme et l'englobant.' Isou viewed Jorn's Situationist International as a neo-Nazi organization, though he later softened his stance.

Which new members joined the Lettrist group during the 1960s?

Several new members joined the Lettrist group in the 1960s, including Jacques Spacagna (1961), Aude Jessemin (1962), Roberto Altmann (1962), Roland Sabatier (1963), Alain Satié (1964), Micheline Hachette (1964), Francois Poyet (1966), Jean-Paul Curtay (1967), Anton Perich (1967), and Gérard-Philippe Broutin (1968).

What major split occurred within the Lettrist movement in 1964?

In 1964, there was a definitive split with François Dufrêne and the Ultraletterists, as well as with Gil J. Wolman. Dufrêne and Wolman, along with Brau, went on to form the Second Letterist International.

What architectural concept did Isou introduce in 1968?

In 1968, Isou published his first work on architecture, 'Manifeste pour le bouleversement de l'architecture' (Manifesto for the Overhaul of Architecture).

What characterized the Lettrist movement's activities in the 1970s and 1980s?

During the 1970s and 1980s, the Lettrist movement continued existing currents and engaged in new research across fields like psychiatry, mathematics, physics, and chemistry. German painter Mike Rose also joined the group during this period.

What development occurred within Lettrism in the 1990s, and how did Maurice Lemaître react?

In the 1990s, excoördism was developed within Lettrism. Maurice Lemaître, a long-time associate of Isou, began to distance himself from the group due to his discomfort with its direction, though he continued to pursue traditional Letterist techniques in relative isolation.

What significant event marked the 2000s for the Lettrist movement?

Isidore Isou died in 2007. Following his death, 'The End of the Age of Divinity' was published by a Situationist International member, which controversially claimed Isou was the Mashiach (Messiah).

What are the 'Amplic' and 'Chiselling' phases according to Isou's theory?

The 'Amplic' phase, as theorized by Isou, represents the initial period of development and exploration within an artistic form, setting a blueprint for its potential. The 'Chiselling' phase follows when all possibilities within that blueprint have been exhausted, leading to deconstruction and a turning inward of the art form itself.

Who did Isou identify as completing the amplic phase in poetry, painting, and music?

Isou identified Homer as initiating the amplic phase in poetry, Victor Hugo as completing it. In painting, he cited Eugène Delacroix, and in music, Richard Wagner, as figures who represented the completion of their respective amplic phases.

What did Isou believe marked the transition to the 'chiselling phase' in art?

Isou believed that when an art form, like poetry, had exhausted all possibilities within its established model, it entered a chiselling phase. This meant genuine creativity and aesthetic value were no longer possible within the old structure, necessitating deconstruction.

What artistic techniques characterized the chiselling phase, according to Isou?

During the chiselling phase, art forms would turn inward, potentially becoming their own subject matter. Artists like Baudelaire, Tzara, Manet, Kandinsky, Debussy, and Russolo were seen as deconstructing the established forms, paving the way for new approaches.

What did Isou propose as the fundamental elements for a new amplic phase of art?

Isou proposed that 'letters'—defined as uninterpreted visual symbols and acoustic sounds—were the most basic elements of poetic creation. He aimed to recombine these elements in radically new ways to initiate a new amplic phase.

What is a 'lettrie' in the context of Lettrism?

A 'lettrie' is a Letterist poem that is purely formal and devoid of semantic content. It focuses on the intrinsic qualities of letters and sounds rather than conveying meaning.

How did Letterists differentiate their 'lettrie' from similar avant-garde poetic forms?

While acknowledging similarities to the work of Italian Futurists, Russian Futurists, Dada poets, and later sound and concrete poets, the Letterists strongly insisted on their own radical originality and sought to distinguish their approach.

What terms did Letterists use for their synthesis of writing and visual art?

The Letterists initially called their synthesis of writing and visual art 'metagraphics' (metagraphie) and later termed it 'hypergraphics' (hypergraphie).

What precedents were identified for Letterist metagraphics and hypergraphics?

Precedents for metagraphics and hypergraphics could be seen in the visual and typographical works of Cubism, Dada, and Futurism, such as Filippo Tommaso Marinetti's 'Zang Tumb Tuum' and Guillaume Apollinaire's 'Calligrammes.' However, the Letterists claimed hypergraphy was a more complete system.

What was Isou's assessment of cinema's development in 1950?

In 1950, Isou believed that cinema, despite its relatively recent origins, had already completed its first 'amplic phase.' He considered cinema to be 'obese' and at its maximum potential, announcing its impending 'destruction.'

What were the two primary innovations of Letterist film?

The two central innovations of Letterist film were 'la ciselure d'image,' which involved scratching or painting directly onto the film stock, and 'le cinéma discrépant,' where the soundtrack and image track were separated to tell different stories or pursue abstract paths.

How did films like 'L'Anticoncept' and 'Hurlements en faveur de Sade' push the boundaries of Letterist cinema?

Gil J. Wolman's 'L'Anticoncept' and Guy Debord's 'Hurlements en faveur de Sade' abandoned images altogether. 'L'Anticoncept' featured a fluctuating ball of light, while 'Hurlements en faveur de Sade' alternated between a blank white screen and a black screen, accompanied by periods of silence.

What technique, later developed by the Situationists, did Letterists utilize from other films?

Letterists utilized material appropriated from other films, a technique that was later developed and refined by the Situationist International under the name 'détournement.'

How did Letterists involve audiences in their film experiences?

Letterists involved audiences through live performances accompanying films or by directly engaging them in the experience via 'film-debates.'

What is 'supertemporal art' as conceived by Isou?

Supertemporal art (L'art supertemporel) is a concept developed by Isou that invites audience participation in the creation of art. A simple example includes leaving blank pages in a book for readers to add their own contributions.

What is 'infinitesimal art' and what related concept did it inspire?

Infinitesimal art (Art infinitesimal), inspired by Leibniz's infinitesimals, refers to a work of art that cannot be physically created but offers aesthetic rewards through intellectual contemplation. It is also known as 'art esthapériste' and inspired 'excoördism,' defined as the art of the infinitely large and infinitely small.

How did Isou categorize political and economic theory in his 'Youth Uprising' concept?

Isou categorized political theory and economics into an 'amplic' phase (Adam Smith and free trade, termed 'atomic economics') and a 'chiselling' phase (Karl Marx and socialism, termed 'molecular economics'). He proposed 'nuclear economics' as a corrective, emphasizing the role of young people and 'externs' who were not significantly involved in production or exchange.

What was the goal of the 'Youth Uprising' (Le soulèvement de la jeunesse) concept?

The goal of 'Youth Uprising' was to restructure society to channel the creative urges of young people and 'externs' into more positive avenues, preventing their creative energy from being diverted into crime or anti-social behavior.

What was the Letterist International (LI) and when did it form?

The Letterist International was formed in 1952 by Lettrists Guy Debord, Gil J. Wolman, Jean-Louis Brau, and Serge Berna. It later fused with other groups to create the Situationist International in 1957.

How did the Letterist International relate to metagraphics and détournement?

During its existence, the Letterist International continued to practice metagraphics, although they were opposed to hypergraphics. They developed metagraphics further into the technique of détournement.

What was Ultra-Lettrism, and when did it emerge?

Ultra-Lettrism arose in 1958, with its manifesto signed by François Dufrêne, Robert Estivals, and Jacques Villeglé. Its members focused on hypergraphics and advanced Letterist sound-poetry, particularly through tape-recording.

Who were some of the key members of the Lettrist movement listed in the article?

Key members included Isidore Isou, Gabriel Pomerand, François Dufrêne, Maurice Lemaître, Gil J. Wolman, Jean-Louis Brau, and Guy Debord, among others who joined at various times.

Lettrism Wiki: Lettrism: The Avant-Garde Revolution of Letters and Art

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Defining Lettrism

An Avant-Garde Foundation

Lettrism is a French avant-garde movement, established in Paris in the mid-1940s by the Romanian immigrant Isidore Isou. The movement's theories have been applied across various domains, including poetry, film, painting, and political theory. Its theoretical underpinnings draw significantly from Dada and Surrealism, though Isou critically engaged with these predecessors, finding them stagnant by the 1940s.

The Name and Its Evolution

The name "Lettrism" originates from the French word for "letter," reflecting the movement's early focus on letters and symbolic representations. While the movement's activities expanded far beyond letter-centric work, the name persisted. Alternative terms used by proponents include 'the Isouian movement,' 'hypergraphics,' 'creatics,' 'infinitesimal art,' and 'excoördism,' highlighting the breadth of their artistic and philosophical explorations.

Global Reach, Parisian Roots

Founded in Paris by Isou, Lettrism quickly attracted a diverse group of artists and thinkers. While rooted in the Parisian art scene, its influence and the theoretical frameworks it developed have resonated within broader avant-garde and artistic discourse internationally.

Core Theoretical Concepts

Amplic and Chiselling Phases

Isidore Isou proposed a cyclical theory of artistic evolution divided into "amplic" (expansive) and "chiselling" (deconstructive) phases. He argued that each art form progresses through an amplic phase where its potential is explored, followed by a chiselling phase where the form is deconstructed. Lettrism aimed to initiate the chiselling phase for various arts, ultimately leading to a new amplic phase based on fundamental elements like letters.

Hypergraphics

On the visual front, Lettrists developed "metagraphics" and later "hypergraphics," a synthesis of writing and visual art. While precedents exist in Cubist, Dada, and Futurist works, hypergraphy was presented as a more comprehensive system, integrating visual elements and text in novel ways, distinct from earlier experiments.

Letterist Film

Lettrists applied their phase theory to cinema, arguing its first amplic phase was complete by 1950. They introduced innovations like "image chiselling" (scratching or painting on film stock) and "discrepant cinema" (separating image and soundtrack). Films like Wolman's The Anticoncept and Debord's Howls for Sade pushed boundaries further, even dispensing with traditional imagery.

Infinitesimal Art & Supertemporal Art

Isou introduced concepts like "infinitesimal art," which focuses on intellectually contemplating art that cannot physically exist, akin to Leibniz's infinitesimals. "Supertemporal art" invited audience participation in the creative process, perhaps through blank pages in books for reader contributions, emphasizing a collaborative and ongoing artistic creation.

Historical Trajectory

Foundational Years (1940s)

Isidore Isou developed the core principles of Lettrism between 1942-1944. Arriving in Paris in 1945, he co-founded the movement with Gabriel Pomerand. Early activities included disruptions of established art performances and the publication of manifestos like La Dictature Lettriste. Isou's early books, published by Gallimard, laid out theories on poetry, music, and his biographical explorations.

Expansion and Schisms (1950s)

The 1950s saw the group expand with members like Maurice Lemaître, Gil J. Wolman, and Guy Debord. Lettrism made significant inroads into film, painting, and political theory. However, internal disagreements led to splits, notably the formation of the Letterist International in 1952 by Debord, Wolman, and others, who later evolved into the Situationist International. Isou continued to develop various art forms, including photography, theatre, and dance.

Diversification and Critiques (1960s-1980s)

The movement continued to evolve, with new members joining throughout the 1960s. Isou introduced concepts like "supertemporal art" and engaged in critiques of the Situationist International. Despite internal divisions and external critiques (like Asger Jorn's), Lettrism persisted, exploring new areas like architecture and continuing its theoretical output through the decades. Figures like Roland Sabatier and Frédérique Devaux were key during this period.

Later Developments

In the 1990s, the concept of "excoördism" emerged. While some founding members like Lemaître began to distance themselves, the movement continued its activities. Isou's death in 2007 marked the end of an era, but his legacy and the broader Lettrist project continue to be explored and debated.

Key Figures

Isidore Isou

The founder and primary theorist of Lettrism. Born in Romania, Isou developed the core concepts of amplic/chiselling phases, hypergraphics, and infinitesimal art. His prolific output spanned hundreds of volumes across poetry, philosophy, economics, and art theory.

Gabriel Pomerand

An early collaborator and co-founder alongside Isou. Pomerand contributed significantly to the movement's early poetic and theoretical works, including Saint Ghetto des Prêts.

Maurice Lemaître

A pivotal member since 1950, Lemaître was instrumental in developing Lettrist film, directing works like Le film est déjà commencé?. He remained an active proponent of Lettrist techniques throughout his life.

Gil J. Wolman

A key figure in the movement's expansion into film and sound poetry. Wolman's L'Anticoncept is a landmark of experimental cinema. He was involved in the split that formed the Letterist International.

Guy Debord

Initially a member, Debord later split from Isou's group to co-found the Situationist International. His film Hurlements en faveur de Sade is considered a significant Lettrist work, pushing the boundaries of cinematic expression.

Influences and Connections

Dada and Surrealism

Lettrism emerged from the fertile ground of post-war Parisian avant-garde movements. It inherited the experimental spirit of Dada and Surrealism but sought to overcome what its founders perceived as their theoretical limitations and stagnation, proposing a radical new direction.

Futurism and Beyond

The movement's focus on letters and sound poetry echoed earlier avant-garde explorations by Futurists (like Marinetti) and Russian Futurists (like Khlebnikov). Lettrists, however, emphasized their unique theoretical framework and originality in applying these ideas.

Impact on Later Movements

Lettrism's ideas, particularly through figures like Debord and Wolman, influenced subsequent movements like the Situationist International. Artists like Ben Vautier have acknowledged Isou's impact on their own artistic theories, particularly regarding the emphasis on novelty and the ego in art.

Key Developments

Letterist International

Formed in 1952 by disillusioned Lettrists, the Letterist International continued Lettrist techniques like metagraphics (developing it into détournement) but opposed hypergraphics. It eventually merged to form the Situationist International.

Ultra-Lettrism

Emerging in 1958, Ultra-Lettrism sought to advance Lettrist sound poetry further than Isou's group. It embraced hypergraphics and tape recording, pushing the sonic boundaries of the movement.

Second Letterist International

An ephemeral group formed in 1964 by figures who had previously split from Isou, including Wolman and Dufrêne, further fragmenting the movement's trajectory.

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References

See Isou, Les vÃ©ritables crÃ©ateurs et les falsificateurs de dada, du surrÃ©alisme et du lettrisme (1973), and Maurice LemaÃ®tre, Le lettrisme devant dada et les nÃ©crophages de dada (1967).

For fuller chronological details, see Curtay, La poÃ©sie lettriste; Foster, Lettrisme: Into the Present; Sabatier, Le lettrisme.

http://www.arkepix.com/kinok/DVD/ASSAYAS_Olivier/dvd_noise.html (French site)

A full list of references for this article are available at the Lettrism Wikipedia page

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This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.

This is not artistic or historical advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional consultation regarding art history, avant-garde movements, or cultural theory. Always refer to primary sources and consult with qualified experts for in-depth analysis.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.

Lettrism: The Avant-Garde Revolution

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

Defining Lettrism ℹ️

✨ An Avant-Garde Foundation

L The Name and Its Evolution

🌍 Global Reach, Parisian Roots

Core Theoretical Concepts 💡

⏳ Amplic and Chiselling Phases

✍️ Hypergraphics

🎬 Letterist Film

♾️ Infinitesimal Art & Supertemporal Art

Historical Trajectory 📅

📜 Foundational Years (1940s)

🚀 Expansion and Schisms (1950s)

💥 Diversification and Critiques (1960s-1980s)

⏳ Later Developments

Key Figures 👥

👑 Isidore Isou

✒️ Gabriel Pomerand

🎬 Maurice Lemaître

💥 Gil J. Wolman

🤔 Guy Debord

Influences and Connections 🔗

🏛️ Dada and Surrealism

➡️ Futurism and Beyond

🤝 Impact on Later Movements

Key Developments 🌱

🌐 Letterist International

🚀 Ultra-Lettrism

🔄 Second Letterist International

Teacher's Corner 🧑‍🏫

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Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Defining Lettrism

An Avant-Garde Foundation

The Name and Its Evolution

Global Reach, Parisian Roots

Core Theoretical Concepts

Amplic and Chiselling Phases

Hypergraphics

Letterist Film

Infinitesimal Art & Supertemporal Art

Historical Trajectory

Foundational Years (1940s)

Expansion and Schisms (1950s)

Diversification and Critiques (1960s-1980s)

Later Developments

Key Figures

Isidore Isou

Gabriel Pomerand

Maurice Lemaître

Gil J. Wolman

Guy Debord

Influences and Connections

Dada and Surrealism

Futurism and Beyond

Impact on Later Movements

Key Developments

Letterist International

Ultra-Lettrism

Second Letterist International

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice