before I know it I am already (2024)
an interactive poem sculpture about a moment of peace amid the beautiful, necessary, never-ending chaos of becoming
before I know it I am already reimagines my poem walking home in the dark (is still walking home). First published in my poetry collection until it shows (2024), this interactive version of the poem is a further exploration of my ongoing creative curiosity about intimacy between text, author, and audience -- an invitation to step beyond static observership and into the transitional moment of becoming at the poem's heart.
When no one is nearby, the poem is in chaos; the first word of the poem repeats over and over in a rippling field. But when someone approaches and remains present, it gradually settles to reveal the full version of the poem, a temporary resolve until the observer moves on and the cycle begins again.
Materials: river rocks, projector, reused cardboard, MDF wreath rings, matte black spray paint, hot glue, electronic components (Arduino Nano 33 IoT, time of flight sensors, MacBook Air running p5.js text animation)
Originally created for Intro to Physical Computing with Yeseul Song at NYU-ITP. This project would not have been possible without the patience and generosity of so many folks -- thank you so much to Nasif Rincon Romaite, James Wang, Fatma Alhashimi, Sana Alimohamed, Jess Shen, B Wu, Ian Cox, Phil Caridi, Prisha Jain, Surya Narreddi, Robert Meares, Noah D'Orazio, Callie Page, Ping Lin, Sofia Pace, Christoff Jiang, Alanna Okun, Justin Johnson, and Spencer Shen for sharing pivotal conceptual input, invaluable experience feedback, and emergency materials.
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