An Experiment!

Sunday 30th September 2012 3:52 pm

Hi Everyone,

I haven't posted anything here for some time now; not through lack of interest - but simply time and inspiration. However, I am hoping that some of you might feel willing to help me with something that's very new - well, it is to me anyway. Those of you with whom I've conversed over these last few years will know that I have regularly been an advocate of freeing poetry from the confines of the bookshelf and dusty page, the performance poets especially. In this age of new-media and opportunity I have been pondering for some time on the best way to go about this. With this in mind I would welcome your opinions on my test-tube baby. It's not a new piece, in fact it was the first thing I ever posted here on WOL (first posted Monday 15th December 2008 7:14 pm), almost prehistoric. Here is the link to the original:

http://www.writeoutloud.net/public/blogentry.php?blogentryid=3145

I chose this piece simply because it was the most suitable to play around with, in terms of bringing together words and imagery, and that hopefully its sentiments are just as relevant today as they were when it was written - probably more so. It wasn't as difficult to put together as I imagined it might be; I'm certainly no techno-wizard. I would go so far as to say that if I can do it then anyone can - and probably far better. I won't pretend that it didn't take some time, but the more I worked on it the simpler it became. It didn't cost me anything to produce - except the usual blood, sweat and tears, and anyone with a reasonably up-to-date PC/laptop could do something similar; if they had a mind to.

All I am asking for is your opinion. Slag it or slate it, crucify and castrate it if you will. I would though, value your honest opinions as to whether it's a valid form of presentation. So, pour yourself a stiff drink, light up one of those funny cigarettes, put your feet up for a few minutes and give me your reviews, critiques, opinions, sniggers and derision - or whatever it is you're left with after hitting this link:

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=youtube+anthony+emmerson+poetry&source=web&cd=5&cad=rja&ved=0CDYQtwIwBA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DXp7F7tnIzwU&ei=moZnUMOZKZCY1AWzzIHADA&usg=AFQjCNFNAMnPpt7NUwbV9m1rnJoPvZw03Q

(Sorry, I couldn't make a direct link - shows what a dork I am!)

And if anyone wants to chat about how it was done I will be happy to share my limited experience. Drop me a line; or if you think it's worth it maybe we could dismember it on the discussion threads. Your opinions would be greatly valued.

That's all folks!

With thanks & best regards,

A.E.

audio/visual experiment

◄ the process

myspace ►

Comments

Harry O'Neill

Wed 3rd Oct 2012 22:57

Thinking about this.
I sometimes think the pictures on here overpower the poems.

The sense of your poem - being a `rap type` overall swipe at very nearly everything is well able to take care of itself in the midst of all this multi media presentation, but imagine if your recent effort was subject to the same sort of `rat tat` stuff?

All the multi stuff really creates mood and though I know that there are different moods that can be created, in general I think that the overpowering element (whatever)would usually be strong enough to rob the poetry of subtlety. Maybe the best kind of this stuff is the pencilled sketchy background with the words of the poem moving down over it. Voice alone can be very powerful (so long as it doesn`t intensify the wrong words and alter the meaning)...Aptly I`ve just been re-reading Chomsky and his views on linguistic competence...(Blimey! when you come to think of it!)

tony sheridan

Tue 2nd Oct 2012 09:09

Fantastic piece of work. Take care, Tony.

Francine

Tue 2nd Oct 2012 01:46

Hi Anthony,

I watched this the other day, but didn't get a chance to comment.
No surprise really, but I have to agree with Isobel - those were my exact impressions as well...

Harry O'Neill

Mon 1st Oct 2012 00:39

Anthony,
I`m fascinated by your experiment.As a sort of multi media method of presenting poetry the ramifications are too many to just jump in until I`ve thought a bit more but the idea of using voice, picture, movement, and music to expand the word looks promising (it is certainly very powerful)I was interested in Isobel wishing for the words (written?)The pace of reading certainly suits it.

I like the idea of the typographical shaping, and wonder if this could be used to enhance the meaning of a poem pictorially? I seem to remember Winston discussing this recently in answer to a problem with putting `shaped` typography on the blog. (I think someone asked could it be done with an (enlarged?) picture, and was interested to see if it was possible.
I notice that your picture of the poem has differing colouring also.

I think your experiment has possibilities and needs thinking about

By the way (as if it was secondary) what a humdinger of a poem!

Kenneth Eaton-Dykes

Sun 30th Sep 2012 23:47

A marvelous piece of conclusionless confusion
a pessimistic summary of what life shouldn't
be like.

There is a brighter side to be exploited,
don't leave this life too disappointed. I have found at eighty three that life is not all misery.

Good inspired stuff Anthony

John Coopey

Sun 30th Sep 2012 22:23

Wow, AE.
I didn't see this first time around (Come to think of it I didn't get on WOL till 2009).
Although I get thought of as a "rhymer" my real passion is rhythm and this has got it in spades. Unrelenting and persistent.
Reminded me a bit of Dylan's Desolation Row, though the imagery called on is more direct and less surreal.
I too couldn't get the audio to work on your original but mo matter; the youtube update is so much better.
Primarily because the pace of the imagery is so fast for the mind to take in audibly it needs the help of the video.
Top bombing, as my kids say!

Isobel

Sun 30th Sep 2012 14:55

That's one hell of a piece of work, Anthony. Ambitious in the extreme, to tackle full on so many topics - and yet they are linked so perfectly by its central theme and the words you end on.

On first hearing I wanted to slow it all down and have the words also. There is so much in there and the images flash by so quickly. Perhaps the speed of it all is meant to reflect how we are bombarded by consumerism - brainwashed? The work needs several listenings to fully appreciate the crafting and the messages within.

I enjoyed the use of rhyme - it certainly aids the flow. I noted that you got louder and more passionate in delivery towards the end. It would be interesting to play around with that - to try getting quieter, slower - injecting pathos, fear - an ominous quality rather than anger.

The most powerful piece of work I've read on here in a long time. I'd call it a piece of work rather than a poem - cos it is all embracing - film/poem/drama/thought. You have put so much effort into it, it's like a piece of art.

It's a great way to make poetry come alive. I could probably go on about it forever, if I started to unstitch it all and look at it piece by piece, but I'll let someone else do the talking now :)

It's wonderful to have you back contributing. x

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