If musicians can do it, why not poets? That thought inspired Chicago poet Dwight Okita to create “Crossing With the Light,” his–and perhaps the city’s–first poetry video. At a time when the audience for serious poetry is getting smaller, Okita is one of a small group of poets and poetry lovers who feel video can give poetry a broader appeal.
Best of Chicago voting is live now. Vote for your favorites »
“Crossing With the Light” is a video adaptation of one of Okita’s poems, produced with the help of the Chicago Access Corporation. It will premiere Monday, September 19, as part of the “Arts on Access” series, which that evening will feature four independently produced videos. The weekly show will air on cable-access Channel 19 from 9 to 10 PM every Monday.
The widely published Okita certainly has the respect of the poetry world; publisher W.W. Norton recently asked him for the right to anthologize one of his poems, “In Response to Executive Order 9066: All Americans of Japanese Descent Must Report to Relocation Centers.” For Okita, however, even a Norton anthology does little to further public awareness of poetry.
Okita refuses to interpret his images, however. The poem itself must carry the message, he says; the video serves to enhance it.
Art accompanying story in printed newspaper (not available in this archive): photos/Jennifer Girard.
