TIME magazine recently revealed its 30 Must-See Tumblr Blogs which includes the highly creative, user-generated Newspaper Blackout. This blog is the brainchild of Austin-based artist and writer Austin Kleon. The main objective of the Tumblr is to display poetry through the omission of words in already printed text. Essentially, it is poetry by way of censorship, executed with the aid of a black sharpie.
Taking published works in the form of newspaper articles, novels, and even horoscopes, this style of “blackout poetry” reveals only carefully selected words to create a new, shorter composition of expression. Often, the poems produced offer a sense of hope and inspiration. At times, they can be depressing but thought-provoking. I love the way this Tumblr reflects how art inspires art.
If you’re interested in keeping a collection of the blackout poetry on hand, there is a book inspired by the blog by the same title, Newspaper Blackout, on sale. Online retailers can be found through Kleon’s website.
