Saturday, March 19, 2016

Great Idea

I heard a story on the radio on Thursday about an art installation that was going to be on display at the Mesa Art Center this weekend only and I thought it sounded interesting so I drove out to Mesa yesterday to see it.  Unfortunately, it wasn't working and I hung around for an hour and half hoping they would get it going but by the time I had to leave it still wasn't operational.

The artist has taken and old fashioned phone booth and repurposed it as a way for the users to get a bit of poetry.















It was fitted with the old style "dial" telephone.  The way it's supposed to work is there is a menu of numbered poems that one might pick to listen to and when you dial the number, the poem is recited through the hand set.

I loved the idea, I just wish I had gotten an opportunity to listen to one of the poems.

























Telepoem!  It's a clever idea and I sure hope they got it working so people can enjoy it.  I didn't realize when I drove out to Mesa that a whole festival of art was going on there.  So there was plenty for me to see and enjoy while I waited around.  I'll show you more tomorrow.

11 comments:

Andy said...

It's official. I have now seen everything. (ಠ ʖ̯ ͡ಠ)

PerthDailyPhoto said...

I agree with Andy, that's a first for me too Sharon :) What a shame it wasn't working but the idea is pretty fun and I'm so glad it wasn't a wasted trip for you, sounds like there was lots of other things to see and snap!

Lowell said...

This is great! I wonder how I'd get my poems into the system? Some people are so creative!

Kate said...

Yes, poetry needs to be read aloud! What a disappointment that it wasn't ready!!

William Kendall said...

It is a clever idea, Sharon!

VP said...

I am really amused by this kind of 'art'. Call it anything else and it would be an interesting idea...

RedPat said...

Such a fun idea!

Catalyst said...

When we lived down in Phoenix for awhile in 2013, we found the Mesa Arts Center to be a going concern with great concerts and festivals and events. In the 1970's, who'da thunk it?

Bob Crowe said...

If I were back your way I'd patronize it. Wouldn't it be wonderful if there were poem booths all over the place?

I once met a man writing poems to order on a tiny portable typewriter around the Embarcadero in San Francisco. I bought one. https://flic.kr/p/7SAmVx

Steve Reed said...

I hope they get it working, too. What a great idea! A way to bring poetry to the masses!

Jack said...

That is an artist who probably had a good cry that evening.