What is concrete poetry in Joan Brossa’s work?

In the context of Catalan literature, Joan Brossa was a prominent practitioner of concrete poetry, a form where the poet’s intent is conveyed through graphic patterns of letters, words, or symbols rather than through conventional linguistic arrangements.12

In Brossa’s work, this approach utilizes typography and spatial layout to transform linguistic units—such as letters, syllables, or punctuation—into evocative visual images. By moving away from purely verbal verse, Brossa embraced what proponents call "verbivocovisual expression," integrating geometric and graphic elements into the poetic process.2

Because these works rely on their visual appearance on the page rather than denotative meaning, they often cannot be read aloud effectively. Brossa’s engagement with this medium reflects the broader influence of movements like Dada and Surrealism, which sought to challenge traditional notions of poetic expression through nonrational and experimental techniques.2