Jean-PierreGillard
Biography
Jean-Pierre Gillard, born in 1948 in Sèvres, France, is a notable French poet and visual artist affiliated with the Lettrist movement, an avant-garde artistic movement founded in Paris by Isidore Isou. During his studies at Lycée Pilote de Sèvres, Gillard cultivated interests in poetry and theater, leading him to engage deeply with the Lettrists starting in 1966. In 1968, Gillard co-founded the Nouvelle Génération Lettriste (NGL) alongside François Poyet, Gérard-Philippe Broutin, and Jean-Paul Curtay. This group sought to expand upon Lettrist ideals, incorporating elements of performance, dance, poetry, and experimental film. Their innovative performances took place at prominent venues such as the Maison des Jeunes et de la Culture (MJC) in Boulogne-Billancourt and the Lycée de Sèvres. Gillard’s artistic practice spans various disciplines, including poetry, painting, music, theater, dance, and cinema. He is particularly known for his minimalist visual art concept called "Démarche infinitésimale," characterized by the recurring use of the Greek letter psi (ψ). This approach emphasizes simplicity and deliberate restraint in visual representation. His literary output includes significant works like the poem "La Ratepelision," which he composed at the age of 19. Throughout his career, Gillard has participated in numerous exhibitions, both collectively and individually. His work has been featured in exhibitions such as "Le Lettrisme et l’hypergraphie" at Galerie Stadler in Paris and "Lettrisme, vue d’ensemble sur quelques dépassements précis" at Villa Tamaris in La Seyne-sur-Mer. Notable solo exhibitions include "Peter et ses amis au pays des psi" at Atelier Lettrista in Colle di Val d'Elsa and "Les démarches en cathédrale & Les jumeaux" at Galerie Satellite in Paris. Gillard has also been influential through digital platforms, creating the first Lettrist websites dedicated to promoting and explaining the principles of Lettrism, such as "E.T. Web," established in 2002, and "Le Blog du Lettrisme," launched in 2005. Jean-Pierre Gillard’s diverse contributions to poetry and the visual arts continue to impact contemporary avant-garde practices and inspire new generations of artists and poets.
