Noigandres Group

Definition

The Noigandres Group was a Brazilian avant-garde literary movement established in the 1950s, focusing on concrete poetry, where the visual arrangement of words and letters plays a crucial role in conveying meaning. This group sought to break away from traditional poetic forms, emphasizing the physicality of language and its visual representation on the page, which connected to broader trends in modernism and postmodernism.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Noigandres Group consisted of influential Brazilian poets such as Augusto de Campos, Haroldo de Campos, and Décio Pignatari, who were key figures in the development of concrete poetry.
2. Their work often incorporated visual elements, manipulating typography and layout to create poems that engage readers visually and conceptually.
3. They published a manifesto in 1956 that outlined their aesthetic principles, emphasizing the significance of form and structure in poetry.
4. The group's name 'Noigandres' itself is derived from a neologism created by the poets, reflecting their innovative approach to language.
5. Noigandres poets sought to connect poetry with other art forms such as painting and sculpture, blurring the lines between visual art and literary expression.

Review Questions

• How did the Noigandres Group redefine the concept of poetry through their focus on visual elements?
  • The Noigandres Group redefined poetry by emphasizing that visual presentation is just as vital as the words themselves. By arranging text in innovative ways, they transformed poems into visual artworks, creating a unique reading experience that engaged both sight and intellect. Their approach encouraged readers to interpret meaning not only through language but also through spatial arrangement, thus expanding what poetry could be.
• Discuss how the Noigandres Group fits into the larger context of avant-garde movements in literature and art during the 20th century.
  • The Noigandres Group exemplifies the avant-garde movement by challenging conventional literary forms and embracing experimentation in their work. Their focus on concrete poetry aligns with other avant-garde movements that sought to push boundaries across various artistic disciplines. By breaking away from traditional verse structures, they contributed to a broader cultural dialogue about the role of language and visuality in modern art and literature, paralleling movements like Futurism and Dada.
• Evaluate the impact of the Noigandres Group's manifesto on contemporary poetry and its relevance in today's literary landscape.
  • The Noigandres Group's manifesto had a significant impact on contemporary poetry by advocating for an integration of visual art with literary expression, paving the way for future poets to explore hybrid forms. Their ideas continue to resonate today, influencing contemporary poets who utilize multimedia approaches or who experiment with visual elements in their work. This legacy encourages ongoing discussions about what constitutes poetry, pushing boundaries further in an increasingly digital age where visuals play a crucial role in communication.

Related terms

Concrete Poetry:

A form of poetry where the visual arrangement of text is as important as the verbal content, creating a synergy between the two.

Avant-Garde: Innovative and experimental ideas and practices in art, literature, and culture that challenge traditional norms and conventions.

Modernism: A cultural movement that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, characterized by a break from traditional styles and an exploration of new forms of expression.