Visual Syntax of Concrete Poetry

Abstract

Many different forms of concrete poetry have emerged in the past twenty years. One way to appreciate, describe, and compare these works is to examine them in terms of their visual syntax. This includes emphasis on figure-field relationships, implied depths, spatial structure, and movement. Examples are presented which illustrate basic types of visual organization and are analyzed to relate their visual syntax to their total meaning. This initial classification could be elaborated and supplemented to provide a basis for a semiotic of concrete poetry.