Overview
This project addresses the research question: “How can contemporary digital technologies be used to reinterpret poetry from the 1960s?” In response, The 21st Century Brautiganism: A Visual Poem functions as both a digital interpretation and a visual performance. It premiered as a live event on the Washington State University Vancouver campus in spring 2010 and was later exhibited outdoors in downtown Vancouver during June 2010. It now appears in the Autumn Trout Gathering show at the Clark County Historical Museum, coinciding with the opening of the new Brautigan Library Collection.
FA 331 Science and Technology
Currently showing at Clark County Historical Museum
Faculty Advisor: Kathi Rick
XXI Century Brautiganism Featured in Windows Into Art
Experience the city as your gallery with Windows into Art, a groundbreaking exhibition of contemporary works displayed in vacant downtown Vancouver storefronts from June 4 to July 5, 2010. By transforming ordinary windows into immersive art installations along public sidewalks, this project invited everyone—residents and visitors alike—to discover and engage with art on their own terms. Windows into Art turned the street into a living museum, forging unexpected connections between the community and creative expression.
Video that was a part of that exhibit:
Learn more: https://artstra.org/windows-into-art-2010-spankys/
Richard Brautigan’s Love Poem
It’s so nice
to wake up in the morning
all alone
and not have to tell somebody
you love them
when you don’t love them
any more. (Richard Brautigan, 1967)
Richard Brautigan’s “Love Poem” which was originally published in 1967 as part of his collection The Pill versus The Springhill Mine Disaster.
In this poem, Brautigan reflects on the complexities of relationships, particularly the emotional weight of being in a situation where love has faded, but the words “I love you” are still required. The poem captures a moment of liberation from the expectations of romantic relationships, offering a bittersweet glimpse into the freedom that comes with not having to pretend or say something that no longer feels true. The juxtaposition of the relief and sadness in the lines is typical of Brautigan’s style, where he balances lightness with profound, often melancholic themes.
XXI Century Brautiganism: An Interactive Love Poem Experience
This project takes its name from a love poem written by Richard Brautigan. It is part of my 2010 DTC Language Text and Technology undergrad initiative, XXI Century Brautiganism, dedicated to honoring Brautigan, his art and his fans.
The Concept
At its heart, the project revolves around a single poem by Richard Brautigan. The poem is just one sentence long but is recited by 17 different people, each offering a unique interpretation. Every video conveys a distinct feeling or emotion, delivering a fresh experience to the audience. As viewers watch, they construct their own internal story, shaped by the poem’s repetition and varying delivery styles.
Textual Remediation and Experimentation
This project is an example of textual remediation. It uses hyperlinks to access individual video clips of the love poem, blending textual and audiovisual elements. This combination creates a non-linear narrative, inviting viewers to explore emotions tied to the act of “waking up in the morning” and “not having to tell someone you love them anymore.”
Immersive Sound Experience
To enhance the experience, the page includes an embedded sound player. The ambient noise creates an evocative backdrop, enriching the poetic atmosphere. While the sound can be paused, stopped, or adjusted, keeping it on is recommended for a more immersive experience.
Explore More of Richard Brautigan:
>> Clark County Historical Museum
Clark County Historical Museum Brautigan Lecture 2010 teaser clip:
Experience the Interactive Love Poem
Step 1: Immerse into the sound
Begin by playing Symphony of the Planets ambient audio and begin immersing into the sound:
Step 2: Experience the Love Poem
Browse through video clips, pick and play each clip randomly, while ambient audio in playing in the background.
DTC 375, Language, Text, and Technology
Fall 2010, Professor Will Luers
Creative Media and Digital Culture Program, Washington State University Vancouver.
Mikhail Oparin 