Overview
Blackout poetry is an art form that involves taking an existing text, such as a newspaper article or an excerpt from a book, and blocking out or ‘blacking out’ words and phrases to create a poem. This is a unique way to engage with language, allowing the writer to discover something new or to tell an entirely new story. By taking an already existing text and rearranging it, the writer can create something entirely new. This type of creative writing has become an increasingly popular form of self-expression in recent years, with people from all walks of life creating their own versions of blackout poems.
Background
The concept of using existing texts to create new meanings has been around for quite some time. For example, Dadaist poet Tristan Tzara’s cut-up technique involved taking existing texts and rearranging them to form something new. The more modern form of blackout poetry, however, was popularized by Austin Kleon, an artist and writer who specializes in helping other people discover the joys of creativity. In his book Newspaper Blackout, he first defined and explained the concept of blackout poetry. He is credited with helping to bring this form of creative writing to a wider audience, inspiring people to see potential in the words that already exist all around us.
The Process
Making blackout poetry is a creative and often therapeutic process. First, the writer should choose a text to work with, such as an article or excerpt from a book. Then, they should start to black out words and phrases they find interesting or inspiring. The writer can use a black marker or pen to black out the words, or they can use a digital tool such as Adobe Photoshop or GIMP to erase the words digitally. The writer should then step back and look for any patterns or sentences that stand out to them. As the writer black out more words and phrases, a story or poem may begin to emerge from the existing text. The writer should not be afraid to erase words and phrases as needed to shape the poem, until they are left with a finished piece of work.
Inspiration
The best way to find inspiration for a blackout poem is to experiment and be open to the possibilities. Writers can use different texts to find inspiration, such as books, newspaper articles, magazine pieces, even random pages from the internet. Writers may also find it helpful to broaden their reading outside of their usual literature or topics, as different texts can lead to interesting and unexpected results. Additionally, writers can take inspiration from other blackout poems they’ve seen before. Finding inspiration from others helps writers understand the possibilities of this form of creative writing.
Personal Style
Defining a personal style in blackout poetry takes time, practice and experimentation. Every writer brings something unique to their work, so it is important to find a style that reflects the individual’s personality and style. This can be done by playing around with different texts, experimenting with different techniques, and being open to new possibilities. Over time, a writer may find that certain styles, words, or phrases become recurring elements in their work. During this process, it is important to remember that there are no limits or rules to blackout poetry, so writers should be encouraged to explore and discover what works for them.
Applications and Uses
Blackout poetry can be used for a variety of purposes, from creative self expression to learning more about a text. For instance, a student may find it helpful to practice blackout poetry when studying a complex text. This form of creative writing can also be used to express feelings and thoughts, allowing a person to create something beautiful out of existing words. In addition, blackout poetry can be used as a teaching tool to help individuals of all ages to think outside the box and explore new possibilities.
Adaptability
Blackout poetry can be adapted in many different ways, making it a versatile and highly customizable form of creative writing. For example, writers can use different colors to highlight words or phrases, mix media such as painting or drawing, and even incorporate images into their work. Additionally, writers can experiment with different fonts and lettering styles, to give the poem a more personal touch. These options can be used to add even more meaning and depth to the poem.
Collaboration
Collaboration is another great way to engage with blackout poetry. Working with another person can help to create unique and original works of art. The writers can choose a text together, or each person can pick different texts and then combine them. They can also take turns blocking out words or phrases in the text, or they can decide to create a completely new poem by erasing words in the same text. Working together can help to create something unexpected and beautiful.
Use in Other Mediums
Blackout poetry can also be used in other mediums such as music and video. For example, a band could create a video of their performance of a blacked-out poem. Or a musician can use an existing text to create a song, by adding music to the words that are left in the poem. Additionally, blackout poetry can be used to create artwork, by printing the poem and mounting it in a frame.
New Possibilities
As the popularity and reach of blackout poetry continues to grow, so too do the possibilities of this creative form of writing. Writers are continually finding new ways to express themselves through the words that already exist, and to think outside the box of traditional poetry. Blackout poetry offers a unique and often therapeutic opportunity to reclaim words and to tell new stories in an entirely new way.
Challenges
Although creating a poem from an existing text can be a liberating experience, it can also be challenging to find the right words or phrases to fit the desired story. A blacked-out poem can be a powerful tool for self expression, but it is important to remember that the writer should never limit their creativity. It is also important to remain flexible and open to the new possibilities that may arise from the poem. After all, the beauty of blackout poetry lies in the ability to take words from an existing text and use them in new and unexpected ways.
Taking it Further
In addition to blacking out words and phrases, writers can also create blackout poems by blocking out entire lines, passages, or even entire pages. This technique can help to create longer and more detailed poems, as well as offer new opportunities for writers to explore. Alternatively, writers can choose to keep some or all of the text intact, allowing them to draw attention to specific words and phrases that stand out within the existing text.
Alternative Approaches
Depending on the writer’s preference, there are many other techniques to explore when creating blackout poetry. For instance, writers can choose to rearrange the order of words and phrases, to create a whole new story or image. Additionally, writers can choose to edit, cut, or add words to the text in order to create something completely new. Finally, writers can also play around with formatting and fonts, to give their poem a personal touch.
Creating Visual Elements
Creating visual elements is another way to make a blackout poem unique and special. By incorporating images, colors, and other visual elements into the poem, the writer can transform their poem into a work of art. Writers can also experiment with different layouts and designs, in order to create a more dynamic and interesting piece. Additionally, the writer can decide to include a variety of media, such as painting or drawing, in order to add interesting visual elements to their poem.
