Gabriella Rhodeen, Post 1

I am still having trouble seeing the emotional or political drive behind this work. The ability and agility in sound poetry is incredible. The image poetry is like graphic design--focused on aesthetic balance and contextual importance or focus. I wonder what the image poetry does to the actual content of the poem, the text. Does that matter? Is that the point? Does the meaning, as in sound poetry, sort of...leave the picture? The sound poetry effects me in a very physical way, I find myself leaning closer, closing my eyes, smiling. My body becomes entirely engaged in the experience because my mind isn't really able to grab on to anything. Because it's such a new medium to me I struggle to connect to the work in a way that stays with me. The visual poetry is attractive and intriguing and the sound poetry is impressive--I wonder, what is their capacity for change, growth and social impact? In my own work these are the questions I focus on most passionately and often I find myself asking those questions about other mediums or metiers. I'm interested to explore it and also open to the idea that this medium may not be centered in the artistic values I've come to attach myself to.