Lettrism is an avant-garde artistic movement that emerged in the 1940s, primarily in France. It focuses on the use of letters and text as a form of artistic expression, emphasizing the visual and auditory qualities of language. Lettrist artists sought to break away from traditional forms of art and literature, exploring new ways to communicate ideas through the manipulation of letters and words. The movement was founded by Isidore Isou, who aimed to create a new form of art that transcended conventional boundaries. Lettrism influenced various fields, including literature, visual arts, and music, and laid the groundwork for later movements such as Dadaism and Surrealism.