An experience unique to UT is available in the UC’s Concourse. It is called “Magnet Poetry” and will continue until the end of November. Various black words on white foam-core, complete with Velcro, are attached to the walls of the concourse and can be placed in any arrangement. Although they are not actual magnets, they are meant to represent the magnet packages that are often purchased at places like Bliss or calendar stores in the mall.
“Go swim/sit cool luscious spring rain/do as you do/blow lust through her hair/and smear his picture of a girl” was precisely placed upon the wall. Some students were smiling and exclaiming, “Ha ha, yes, now let’s make a haiku.”
Although it may seem geeky, it did happen, and it was an interesting experience to view. Like children on a playground, this poetry was rapidly changing with the different people interacting with one another. With the introduction of new people, new ideas and new vocabulary, a new product was born.
“Together we live above it/as if time were still/watching our sweet love/show beauty through here” was another poem created on the walls of the UC. Not only are the poems different, but the layouts of them are different too. This poem, for instance, was neatly arranged, while others used spacing, tilting and other various effects to serve a purpose.
Ian Cato, undecided freshman, described the exhibit as in the moment, and he said that the poetry is often a collaborative effort. Participating in this form of poetry is very in the moment, because it is what one is feeling at that particular time, and it is created and destroyed in an instant, he said.
“The process (of creating this type of poetry) involves everyone who walks past it,” Cato said. “… The fact that it is open and on the wall creates one aspect, which is the actual writing, to those who would not normally write poetry.”
The people in the UC appeared excited to create the poetry, but the passersby were not merely looking at the walls with discontent then dismissing it all together; the majority of the viewers stopped to participate or slowly walked by reading what had been created. “Magnet Poetry” provides a free, open and easy option to show a little bit of creativity, which seems to attract people.
This type of art brings a new sense of creativity, as well as an outlet, for those who are willing to give it a chance. Although the poetry is not up forever, and because it can be changed so often, is no reason to stray from going in and giving it a shot.
