• Home
    • Artwork Credits
  • My Books
    • Out Of The Shadows
    • Shadow Mothers
    • The Next Best Thing
    • The Cockeyed Precision of Time
    • Ride That Full Tilt Boogie
  • How May I Help?
    • Editing
    • Coaching
    • Teaching
  • Writing Insights
  • Classes & Events
  • Connect With Me

Foreword

~ Linda Back McKay, author, poet & teaching artist

Foreword

Tag Archives: Todd Boss

When Poetry Goes Beyond the Page

23 Thursday Oct 2014

Posted by lindabackmckay in Uncategorized

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Arrivals and Departures, motionpoems, Pixel Farm, St. Paul, St. Paul Union Depot, Todd Boss

Here is my Motionpoem, “Carousel.” Just imagine it projected across the vast facade of the St. Paul Union Depot:

Carousel

On October 10 and 11, as darkness fell, this film and three others were shown in St. Paul, Minnesota. Larger than life is an understatement. Hearing the words of my poem boom through huge speakers like an important announcement was humbling. I knew it would be big but I wasn’t prepared to feel so dwarfed by the experience.

I was taken into the film. It encompassed me. I was light and color, spinning, riding, yearning, doomed, and then, slowly, lowered down into the earth. It was a very close encounter.

The film, “Carousel,” was exactly what I had in mind — and more so. I think it helped me peek around the corners of my poem, and under the floorboards, to see further interpretations. Poetry is all about communication and my messages were successfully conveyed. For me, the additional images, sounds and emotions inserted by the film makers are multicolored icing on a sumptuous cake.

Before this experience, I thought of public art as something nice that is just there. I never gave much thought to the interactive qualities of it. During “Carousel,” children danced and tumbled on the grass with the music. People walking by gave double-takes before stopping and gazing up at the building. Some shrugged and kept on walking but most seemed mesmerized and watched the whole thing. Seeing so many people seeing my poem, I was struck at how far-reaching and powerful this art form can be.

As Todd Boss, founder of Motionpoems, has been known to say, It’s putting poetry right in people’s faces where they can’t ignore it. Don’t you think the world would be a better, kinder place if everyone appreciated and wrote poetry? The next time you come upon public art, think about who might be influenced by it. Then start writing your story or poem on the possibilities of public art.

 

Linda Back McKay Logo

Want to receive writing tips and notices about upcoming events and classes? Subscribe for email updates.

Connect With Me

Have a question for me? Just want to be in touch? Feel free to call me at 612-685-7768, or send me an email.

Recent Posts

  • Iron Horse Cowgirls: Women Motorcyclists of the 1930s and 1940s
  • Two Motorcycle Poems
  • After “Watermelon Hill”
  • An Interview for the Play, “Watermelon Hill”
  • So, You Want to be Published?

About Me

Twitter

Error: Twitter did not respond. Please wait a few minutes and refresh this page.

Recent Posts

  • Iron Horse Cowgirls: Women Motorcyclists of the 1930s and 1940s
  • Two Motorcycle Poems
  • After “Watermelon Hill”
  • An Interview for the Play, “Watermelon Hill”
  • So, You Want to be Published?

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.com

Photo & Artwork Credits
Website by Social Good

Blog at WordPress.com.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy