Blackout poetry is a popular form of writing poetry that involves blacking out words from another text – usually taken from a newspaper or magazine article – such that the remaining words form a poem. Although not as popular as more traditional poetry, it has earned some notoriety in the literary world, with celebrities such as actor Elijah Wood creating blackout poems. So, who invented blackout poetry?
The concept of blackout poetry is thought to have emerged during the late 1950s and early 1960s, when a group of Beat Generation poets, including Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac, began experimenting with the idea. They removed words from published material and rearranged the words to create what they termed “untyped” poems. This trend of rearranging words to create a poem without typing was embraced by other poets, leading to what is now known as blackout poetry.
Despite the popularity of the concept, it wasn’t until the late 1980s that blackout poetry was formally named. It was then that poet and editor Austin Kleon began to refer to the practice as “blackout poetry”. Kleon has also written extensively on the practice and has authored books on the topic. His work has since been credited as pioneering the contemporary resurgence of blackout poetry.
Today, blackout poetry is seen as a form of art and there are several websites and blogs dedicated to the practice. Many of these sites provide tips and guidance for those looking to write their own blackout poems. Additionally, there are several apps and tools available to help budding poets create their own blackout poems. Many of these apps employ an algorithm to aid in the task, such as the Blackout Poetry Generator, which takes a given text and lets you select words to black out to form a poem.
Blackout poetry differs from more traditional types of poetry in that it focuses much more on the aesthetics of a poem, rather than the literal meaning of the words. As the words are selected more for their visual appeal than for the emotion they evoke, it is up to the individual reader to make their own interpretations of the poem. This can, perhaps, be part of the appeal of blackout poetry – the fact that each reader can have a unique interpretation of the same poem.
Context of the Words
A key aspect of blackout poetry is the context of the words that are used. The words that are selected for a blackout poem can be influenced by how they look when arranged together, but it can also beimportant to consider the connotations of the words. For example, if one word has a negative connotation and is placed next to a word with a positive connotation, it can give the poem a different feel than if the negative word is placed on its own.
With the influence of context in mind, it is beneficial for a poet to be familiar with the original source text from which words are “blacked out.” This can help to ensure that a poem has the desired effect, as the carefully selected words can be more easily interpreted by the reader. Ultimately, context can be used to add an additional layer of meaning to a poem and to help shape the interpretation of the piece.
Relevance to Other Types of Writing
While blackout poetry has become popular for its unique approach to the creation of a poem, it can also be seen as relevant to other forms of writing. The techniques used to create blackout poetry – such as the deliberate selection of words and the emphasis on the visual aesthetics of a poem – can be applied to other forms of writing, in both fiction and non-fiction.
For example, when writing a story, a writer can use the concept of blackout poetry to ensure that their story flows well and that the descriptions are carefully chosen. This can be done by blacking out words from the original document, rearranging them to form more descriptive passages and choosing the words that fit best. In this way, a writer can ensure that their story is engaging and evokes emotion in their readers.
In a similar way, a non-fiction writer can use aspects of blackout poetry to form a well-structured essay. By blacking out words from the original document, the writer can add a more personal touch to their essay and ensure that their argument is laid out in an effective and structured way. This can help to make their essay more concise and engaging.
Exploring Primal Ideas and Impulses
Despite the focus on visual aesthetics and context in blackout poetry, it is also a form of writing that can allow for exploration of emotional and primal ideas and impulses. Blackout poetry encourages its practitioners to create snippets of poetry that are more based on feeling than on literal meaning. This means that figures of speech, metaphors and analogies can be used to powerful effect to express complex and personal emotions.
In this way, blackout poetry can also be seen as a form of self-expression that allows the writer to explore and process their thoughts and feelings in a more creative and visual way. The act of physically blacking out words can be seen as a metaphor for removing something from the mind – allowing the poet to focus on their thoughts and feelings and exploring them more deeply.
Social and Political Associations
When considering who invented blackout poetry, it is important to discuss its social and political associations. For example, some blackout poets, such as Austin Kleon, have used the form as a social critique of contemporary issues, such as racism, sexism and other forms of discrimination. In this way, blackout poetry is not only a form of art, but also a form of social protest – a way to voice opinions and challenge the status quo.
Additionally, blackout poetry is seen as a form of protest against the overwhelming prevalence of technology and consumerism in modern society. By creating something artistic without the need for technology, the practice of blackout poetry is seen as a way of reclaiming creative power away from technology giants. As such, it is not only a form of writing, but also a form of activism.
Finding Unique Interpretations
Finally, another aspect of blackout poetry is the unique interpretations that can be found in the practice. Every reader of a blackout poem can have their own interpretation of the poem, as the words are carefully selected for visual appeal. This can lead to differing interpretations, as readers bring their own experiences to the poem, resulting in an open-ended and often meaningful interpretation that can differ vastly between readers.
Additionally, the words used in a blackout poem do not have to be “literary” words – they can be everyday words, such as “run” or “walk”. This allows readers to apply the words to their own life, connecting the poem to their own individual experiences and ultimately finding meaning in it.
Exploring Mixed Mediums and Textures
Since blackout poetry is very visually driven, it is also possible to explore different mediums and textures when creating a poem. By using different mediums, such as collage, chalkboard or adhesive, the poet can create an entirely unique and visually appealing piece of artwork.
By exploring different mediums and textures, a blackout poet can also enhance their poem with additional artwork or photos that can add meaning and context to their piece. Alternatively, scented or textured materials can be used to add an additional element of texture to a piece.
The Role of Visual Arts
The practice of blackout poetry is heavily based in the visual arts, and this is a crucial aspect of the practice. The selection of words, the arrangement of the words on the page and the additional artwork used to accentuate a piece are all elements that need to be considered when creating a blackout poem. This is part of the appeal of the practice – the ability to create something that is visually appealing, but also contains a personal, emotional message.
By relying heavily on the visual, blackout poetry allows its practitioners to explore their creativity in a different way than traditional forms of poetry. It also allows them to explore their feelings in a unique way – with the visual element providing a backdrop for the poem and allowing readers to connect with the piece on a meaningful level.
Creating Meaningful Works of Art
Overall, blackout poetry is a powerful form of writing that has the potential to create meaningful works of art. By incorporating elements of both visual arts and literature, blackout poets can create unique pieces of art that are both visually engaging and emotionally meaningful. With its roots in the Beat Generation, blackout poetry has since gone on to become one of the most popular forms of writing.
The identity of the inventor of blackout poetry is still open to debate, and the practice has changed significantly over the years. However, it is clear that the practice has been an important part of literature and culture over the past few decades, and its rise in popularity shows no signs of slowing down.
