#NEWSPAPERBLACKOUT

AUSTIN KLEON

AN EXHIBITION AT UNT ON THE SQUARE IN DENTON, TEXAS, APRIL 11MAY 6, 2013

THE EXHIBITION

Newspaper + marker = poetry

For the past eight years, Ive been redacting newspapers with a permanent marker, turning the daily news into poetry. In 2010, the project was published as a bestselling book, Newspaper Blackout. My blog, NewspaperBlackout.com, has over 100,000 subscribers, and has featured thousands of poems from all over the world. This exhibit was held at UNT on the Square in Denton, Texas, from April 11 to May 22. It featured brand-new poems and an area for visitors to make their own blackout poetry.

VISIT NEWSPAPERBLACKOUT.COM

PHOTO VIA AETHERSEYES

VISIT STEALLIKEANARTIST.COM

THE POEMS

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BEHIND THE SCENES

Most of the poems in this show were made from October 2012 to April 2013. Every day after I put my son Owen down for a nap, Id make a poem in front of the baby monitor. Usually if I know Ive come up with a decent poem Ill go ahead post it to Instagram, but for the months leading up to the show, I decided not to share any poems online. I thought, since this was my rst real solo gallery show, Id perform a little experiment and work for a change like a real artisttoil in the secrecy of my studio until I was ready for the big reveal. I gured maybe Id learn something... What I learned is that I absolutely hate working this way! After the show, I was relieved to go back to my normal way of operating, the instant gratication and the immediate feedback.

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It isnt easy to plan for a show in a space youve never actually been in, but I was thrilled by how much the nal product exceeded what I originally had in mind. I attribute this to the amazing Herbert Holl and Meredith Buie, who you can see hanging the show below. Theyre awesome.

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Thank you: UNT on the Square Nicole Newland Herbert Holl Meredith Buie

To see more of my work and inquire about the availability of the prints, visit: austinkleon.com

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