Collective Verse is an audio/visual, interactive installation informed by the tradition of Japanese Renga–a tradition in which multiple poets create a single poem. Collective Verse will invite diverse participants and supporters, with an emphasis on the Meso-American community, to share their words and language within this political moment.

Evolved into a project that offers an outlet for those who are at a loss for words.

Collective Verse aspires to create a spiritually framed experience where participants can privately share their thoughts. What is revealed is the collective nature of our voice.

Participants create the poem together.

Collective Verse aspires to create a spiritually framed experience where participants can privately share their thoughts. What is revealed is the collective nature of our voice

The Technology

Local and global participants submitted written prompts and responses on a mobile app connected to a website. Each response became a part of the collective poem projected on a wall. Each time a poem is displayed, another technology, Max/MSP, plays musical cues and atmospheric sounds gathered from field recordings of Westlake/MacArthur Park and Downtown Los Angeles.