Open “ii — in the white darkness: about [the fragility of] memory” by Reiner Strasser and M.D. Coverley
This ethereal poem compels its readers to experience the evanescence of memory through a deceptively simple interface and navigational tools. The animations and sounds are displayed and fade at a paused pace to encourage reflection and allow time for the reader to forget where they clicked last, what they clicked, and where they were headed to next: much like the Alzheimer and Parkinson patients whose plight they seek to evoke. The mapped out sequences of dots reward those who follow them with sounds of nature, language, and gorgeous images— but the visual mappings fade after a few seconds, leaving the readers semi-lost when trying to reconstruct them.
This is a masterfully executed piece, using digital media tools with a delicate touch.
Featured in The Electronic Literature Collection, Volume 1.
