Key characteristics of conceptual literature include:
* Emphasis on the idea: The core is a concept, theory, or intellectual proposition that the work explores. The execution is subservient to this concept.
* Process over product: The act of creating the work, and the ideas behind the process, might be as important or even more important than the finished piece itself.
* Experimentation with form and medium: Conceptual literature often transcends the boundaries of the traditional novel, poem, or short story. It might use unconventional materials, structures, or layouts. This could involve found objects, visual elements, or performance elements.
* Self-reflexivity: The work often comments on its own creation and the nature of literature itself.
* Minimalism: It can be extremely brief or seemingly simple, relying on the reader to engage with the underlying concept.
* Reader participation: The reader is often expected to actively participate in interpreting and completing the work. The meaning isn't explicitly stated but rather suggested or implied.
Think of it less as a traditional narrative and more as an intellectual experiment presented in literary form. It often provokes questions about the nature of art, authorship, and meaning itself, rather than offering satisfying answers or complete narratives. Examples might include works utilizing only a single word, a series of numbered statements, or a visual arrangement of objects with limited textual elements. The impact relies heavily on the underlying concept and the reader's interaction with it.