Link to the project - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/igobycait/make-100-blackout-poems?ref=thanks-copy
Story
What the hell is a blackout poem?
Hello, yes, great question. A blackout or cross-out poem is where you take a marker to already established text and cross things out/redact items until a poem is formed.
Why am I doing this?
Mostly because art is cool. But also because I like to write poems, and I compile so much damn paper from receipts to letters to bus tickets to ads, etc etc etc - and one day I started making them into poems. It started just out of boredom and exploration, but it became a fun exercise to try and create art from such simple things that initially seem unassuming.
What are the poems going to be like?
All over the place. I mean, have you ever tried to make a poem from a receipt after you bought Cheetos and deodorant from a bodega at 2am?
Okay, in all seriousness though, here are some examples that range from silly to beautiful:
A blackout poem I made from a piece of junk mail from Geico
"Brooklyn is tough, And unexpected, so why not get a pie and get friendly? be sweet today."
A blackout poem from a record store receipt
"Records served us experience. Good Gravy."
Another one from a found zine
"When I was very young, I felt triumphant, I continued growing"
Why do I need $600 smackers?
Mostly planning for shipping and sharpies. Also maybe to buy a few used books and zines along the way so I don't strictly have to use junk mail and receipts. But, mostly, the cost is just to ship to you lovely folks!
Risks and challenges
I don't think this should be too hard. The biggest challenge will be not immediately trashing all of the paper I accumulate. And trying to be creative with such a limited medium - but that's the fun of it.
