Isidore Isou Quotes

A collection of quotes by Isidore Isou.

Isidore Isou (1925–2007) was a Romanian-born French poet, film critic, and visual artist. He is primarily known as the founder of the Lettrist movement, a highly experimental artistic and literary movement aimed at challenging conventional artistic forms and expanding the possibilities of creative expression.

Born in Botosani, Romania, Isou moved to France in 1945 and quickly immersed himself in the artistic circles of Paris. In 1946, he published his groundbreaking manifesto, "Les manifestes du Lettrisme," which outlined his vision for a new art form that would break free from traditional structures and embrace individual creativity.

As a poet, Isou developed a unique style characterized by the deconstruction of words and the fragmentation of language. He believed that traditional literature had become obsolete and sought to reinvent the written word by devising new phonetic techniques and introducing phonetic poetry.

Isou's artistic interests extended beyond literature, and he experimented with film-making by applying lettrist principles to the medium. His first film, "Traité de bave et d'éternité" (Treatise on Venom and Eternity), released in 1951, is now regarded as a seminal work in the history of experimental cinema.

Throughout his life, Isidore Isou continued to explore new artistic territories and challenge established norms. His contributions to the Lettrist movement and his innovative approach to different art forms have had a lasting impact on the realms of poetry, visual arts, and cinema.