A caligram (…concrete poetry, pattern poetry, shape poetry…) is a text, which meaning is not only expressed by the meaning of words, but also a design, according to (and rescuing from obviousity) the capability of the letters to drawn.
A mosaic is a geometric pattern that, from a basic sinple geometric form, so called “tessera”, is able to fill the 2D plane through mathematical spatial operations, such as displacement, turning or mirroring.
The possibility of making mosaic by using text instead of lines: having the characteristics of both mathematics and literature.
A text that, as a mosaic, is able to fill the plane on the pattern of a single form
and also a mosaic that, as literature, it can tell a singular message from each point.
A mathematical homogeneous pattern and the singularities of poetry.
Image: 1. Caligram, Detail. 2. Comares Courryard Mosaic (Detail). Alhambra, Granada. Find more images down the page.
NOTES and DETAILS
Origin of Lists_______________________________
I have used the form of lists, which elements are connected by the conjunction “or” (in Spanish “o”).
Some of these list are my own writing, which elements are associated by semantic or even by phonetics reasons… Others are known lists, such as the solar system’s planet, the months, atmospherical phenomena, etc…
As I was running out of ideas, I decided to “steal” some lists. You will find pieces of poems, parts of films, some cooking recipes.
Conectors___________________________________
I used the spanish conjunction O (“or”) to connect the elements of this lists for different reasons:
-Graphic: As a circle, which is completely symmetric, hence so perfect to give a pace to cross lines in any direction. So, anyhow you orientate, “O” gives the form of a square in the “plan”
-Semantic: or this, or this or this… “or” as opposition and singularity: the place where the reader is in opposition with the rest of the plan. Nothing remains but memory. “O” makes the reader choose and risk: travelling with a extremely light baggage. Otherwise, a simple coma or the conjunction “and” (“y” in Spanish) would make the reader obligated to remember, to carry with every element in the sentence. Honestly I like better travelling with a light bag.
Strategy and Anecdote_______________________
I played with the grammar and the syntax, jumping in different relative clauses in a sentence.
I also played with some mathematical geometric operations (displacements and permutations)… to approach some semantic corners, and play with singularities.
Like in city planning, there were some beautiful accidents and coincidences. And I am sure, each reader will experience some more, it depends of the personal background (memory and emotions play a lot in the image of cities), the how we run or walk,
slowly
or carefully,
or, if someone decides to stay in a corner, enjoying the sound of “greda y amianto”
or “vientre de montículo marino”
or the suggestive image of brand new knives
or the jellyfish in September
or the little unicorn in paper in the replicant’s housedoor…
