Daily Archives: October 20, 2025

student blogs

Yardley, PA 1997 & Avenue S

This week we covered two wickedly different works of E-lit. First, I want to cover Yardley, PA 1997 by Todd Anderson. This work was pretty cool if I’m being honest. One of the compelling aspects of Anderson’s work is the navigational freedom that he provides in the work. Since the poem and music can be placed in any order, the reader has freedom to navigate the work at their own pace and leisure. The path to the ending is paved through the readers own imagination compared to just the way the author intends. Another aspect of the work is the actual narrative. I loved how the music and the words seemingly matched up. Each line of text works likes a memory, and the music seemingly feels likes a memory coming and fading quickly. The ending really brought the work together for me. The crescendo of both the narrative, and the music both blended perfectly together to illustrate a time in the past we cannot get back. Nostalgia is a topic that is ubiquitous in writing, so it’s always interesting to see how authors use it in their works. In this case, the author uses the interactive aspects of the work to reflect the readers view of the feelings of nostalgia. Reading about the exploits of the speaker and hearing the music did bring back memories from by childhood too. I see this piece as a bit of a literary sandbox. While the author gives their way to work through the piece, they also allow the player to use the piece to create their own work in a way. I really liked this work overall.

            The other work that I covered for this week was Avenue S, by Jody Zellen. This work was way different, though it did provide some really unique and interesting moments as I worked through some of it. With this work totaling almost 400 pages, it was hard to see an actual conclusion when compared to the previous work. In some ways, this work felt endless, with me clicking over and over after seeing each new page. It was cool to see the interactive aspects of this work. For one, hovering over the tab of the window revealed the title of each specific page. These titles provided much needed context to some of the more abstract pages in some cases. While some of the pages felt disjointed, they all stylistically felt connected and consistent. In some cases, this work felt like an art installation at a museum. One of the things I really liked is how the “narrative” builds throughout the work. The way it weaves the feelings of loneliness and isolation while also presenting the backdrop of the pandemic and the social unrest that come with it was fantastic. The imagery, the poetry and the overall organization all came together the longer I worked through the piece. The standout vignette that I loved was “trapped” which consisted of many short repeating animations that outlined the circular nature of the lock-down. People being trapped in their homes, as well as in their daily routines. I can say that this is my favorite work we have covered so far in class.

student blogs

Presenting on Avenue S – Jody Zellen

Exploring Avenue S by Jody Zellen was an experience that felt both visual and emotional.  I should start by saying that I chose this piece purposefully because I originally was a fine art major and I felt like it had a good amount of art attached to it. 

I then looked-up Jody Zellen, the author/artist, and discovered that she was an artist (graduated RISD) and was a Los Angeles resident.  I was surprised by her residency, because I really believed when she spoke about the ‘city’ she was talking about Manhattan (I guess since I consider that my city).  What I liked about her approach is that sues movement, layering and interactivity to create experiences, rather than just images or a story.  Avenue S truly explored city life during the time of COVID-19.

From the moment I entered the piece, it had a quiet, almost eerie energy: Urban streets without people, fragments of text, and shifting images that seemed to appear and disappear on their own. It didn’t feel like something to “read” in the traditional sense, but more like something to move through, at my own pace, noticing what caught my attention.  Also, I felt like I needed to take my time, that it brought me right back to COVID.

My experience with COVID was different then others, much like this piece.  We were asked to work-from-home, but only for about 5 or 6 weeks.  I had worked at home in a previous career and found it to actually be more work then in you went to your office, so I was somewhat enjoying my house.  I was able to take walks around my neighborhood and do my own art.  It seems that Jody Zellen and I do not share a similar feeling about such things.  For one thing, her experiences is very much city oriented (lots of people – then none, etc.) My experience was very suburban – no people down the shore in March anyway, so this was a kind-of welcomed solitude. 

The stark, black-and-white imagery gave the work a haunting kind of beauty. It reminded me of walking through a city on a summer weekend night when the city (my city) would empty out and go to the Hamptons. The emptiness and repetition of certain visuals felt intentional, as if Zellen was trying to capture the rhythm of the city when no one’s around, places in the city you would find that are small forgotten corners.  It also paced the passing of time. 

Zellen captured a real sense of monotony in parts of the navigation, where certain images or patterns repeated, and the clicks didn’t always lead somewhere new or not new. At first, it felt a little repetitive, but then I realized that was probably the point. It seemed to mirror the routines and rhythms of everyday life, he way days can blur together, especially in the city. I started to see it as Zellen showing us her own day-to-day experience, with its cycles, small shifts, and familiar scenes that might feel the same on the surface but carry quiet differences if you really look.

Because the piece didn’t follow a straightforward story, I wanted to understand how it worked beneath the surface. Again, I’m new to this way of reading and my curiosity and the need for some kind of story seemed to allude me.  I looked up things I may have missed in Zellen’s narration, such as secret hyperlinks or hidden paths that others had found while navigating the project. I found it difficult to get these “secrets” to work, even the ones that I thought I had figured out from the calendared page I stumbled upon eventually. Still, that process of searching added another layer to the experience. It made me think about how we try to make sense of these digital pieces of literature, always expecting some kind of clear direction or payoff that doesn’t always come.  Plus there’s the personal experience of it directing you down your very own story.

As I continued, I realized Avenue S was more about mood, perception, and even a sense of redundancy than about any kind of clear narrative.  he random clicks, the shifting pages, and the unpredictable visuals became their own kind of language. The work made me think about memory and how my memory seems to come in pieces, not in order, and while the memories may not be repeated sometimes they are repeated endlessly.

By the end, I saw Zellen’s Avenue S as less of a story and more of a meditation on solitude, movement, and urban life. It challenges what we consider “literature,” blending photography, design, and poetic fragments into a single experience. Even though I couldn’t access every hidden detail, I still felt like I had wandered through something meaningful. The act of exploring became the story itself.

student blogs

Yardley, PA 1997 & Avenue S

Exploring Yardley, PA 1997 from the collection Hotwriting (2017) was such a fun and creative experience! I loved how each line of the poem was linked to a key on the keyboard, each one playing its own little music clip. It felt like I wasn’t just reading a poem, it felt like I was performing it. I kept pressing different keys to see how the words and sounds would come together, and every time it created something new, almost like remixing poetry into music. To be honest, I also found it a bit hard to keep up since the words would go away so quickly, and I would miss a couple of lines. But that challenge made it even more engaging, it pushed me to stay focused.

What stood out to me most about this piece was how it changed the way I think about poetry and reading in general. Normally poetry feels still and quiet, something you read at your own pace, but this experience was the complete opposite, it was active and unpredictable. I liked that it gave me control as the reader, yet also reminded me how easily that control can slip away when the words disappeared too soon. It perfectly aligns with digital literature, where text and technology work together to create new forms of meaning and interaction.

Jody Zellen’s Avenue S offered a very different, yet equally compelling, experience. It captures the eerie stillness of life during the Covid pandemic, when empty city streets and suspended routines defined daily life. The work features playful doodles of deserted urban spaces alongside references to the Black Lives Matter protests of summer 2020, grounding it in a moment that was both isolating and socially significant. I was struck by how the minimal interactivity mirrors the experience of a lockdown, there’s little to control, yet the subtle movements and arrangements of words and images draw the viewer in, creating a quiet, reflective space.

Together, these works highlight the wide range of digital literature. Yardley, PA 1997 invites playful interaction, letting readers perform, remix, and create alongside the text, while Avenue S uses minimal interactivity to reflect on a historical moment and evoke deep emotions. Both demonstrate how technology can expand the possibilities of reading, turning poetry and visual works into immersive experiences that are dynamic and deeply connected to the moments they represent.

student blogs

A World riting 2025-10-20 07:51:56

Lareice’s Digital World

The Aesthetics and Experiential Dimensions of Interactive Electronic Literature

Interactive electronic literature, Yardley PA, and Avenue S, represents a dynamic merging of narrative, visual art, and digital technology. Unlike traditional print-based texts, these works invite readers to engage with storytelling as an immersive, multisensory experience. Through the integration of instrumental soundscapes, animated net art, and game-like navigation, electronic literature transforms passive reading into active participation.

One of the most compelling aspects of this genre is its resemblance to video game mechanics. Users often navigate through the narrative by pressing a single button, which propels them into new story environments. This tangible interaction fosters a sense of agency and exploration, allowing readers to move through the text as if journeying through a virtual landscape. The interface itself becomes a narrative device, guiding users through layers of meaning and emotional resonance.

Vibrant animations and net art aesthetics contribute to a rich tapestry of symbolic and affective imagery

Visual elements play a critical role in shaping the reader’s experience. Vibrant animations and net art aesthetics contribute to a rich tapestry of symbolic and affective imagery. These visuals are not merely decorative; they function as extensions of the narrative, enhancing ideological depth and emotional tone. The interplay between text and image creates a blended form of storytelling that is both intellectually stimulating and visually engaging.

Equally significant is the role of sound. Instrumental effects and ambient audio cues heighten the immersive quality of the work, reinforcing mood and pacing. Sound becomes a narrative element, capable of revealing memory, tension, and transformation. When combined with visual and interactive components, it produces a comprehensive sensory experience that exceeds conventional literary boundaries.

Interactive electronic literature exemplifies the evolving nature of storytelling

Storytelling in the digital age with interactive electronic literature exemplifies the evolving nature of storytelling. It offers a powerful platform for creative expression, pedagogical innovation, and emotional engagement. For scholars, educators, and artists alike, this genre opens new possibilities for exploring trauma, identity, and healing through multimodal narrative forms. As digital media continues to reshape the literary landscape, electronic literature stands as a testament to the enduring power of story reimagined through sound, image, and interaction. It is an engaging and enjoyable storytelling style.

student blogs

Yardley, PA & Avenue S

Yardley, PA has themes of nostalgia and familial love. The background effects and music is reminiscent of summer, having fun playing outside until the sun went down. I chose to go through the story linear first, then pressed random orders of letters to see if the experience changed. I can’t say it did. Either way, the ending of the piece then transformed from a poem to a bunch of memories popping up all at once with music overlapping loudly. Then comes the line “and then it’s gone” as the conclusion. The music changes, too, with four somber piano notes concluding the piece. It’s lovely and it’s bittersweet, perfectly reflecting how reflecting on childhood memories feel. The author created this work with the intention of showcasing an interactive piece that differs from traditional rectangular text. In my honest opinion, I don’t think the form alone would’ve been enough to earn the title of electronic literature. The musical effects was the stage light that made the poetry and the formatting shine. It really felt like you were composing something.

Avenue S was created during Covid, which immediately peaks my interest since most of the lit we’ve been viewing is much older. I like simplicity of the art style and the use of real pictures. The piece doesn’t take itself too seriously, with one page just being dedicated to drawing a spiral by clicking. Rather than treating lockdown as a means of self-isolation and allowing herself to wallow, the artist just has fun, enjoying the opportunity to return to net art. There are thematic elements in which the speaker(s) wonder when this will be over, when normal daily life will continue again, like the page with the question poem by Jay Brecker. But the silliness of the silhouette drawings makes it seem hopeful that people would be allowed to gather again eventually. It’s a bit bizarre looking at this piece having lived through the pandemic not even a few years ago. I think I would’ve deeply appreciated seeing something like this in 2021, or feel whatever the opposite of nostalgia is ten years from now.

-SS

student blogs

Yardley, PA & Avenue S

Both Yardley, PA, and Avenue S are an exploration of space, but neither in a typical sense. Yardley decorates the screen with poetry. Even selecting the same key over and over again leaves you with the line patterned across the screen.

‘A’,’A’,’A’,’A’,’A’,’A’,’A’,’A’,’A’,’A’,’A’,’A’,’A’,’A’,

“Russell used to beat on me and my brother“.

In my version of the poem, this is the first line. But the beauty of Yardley, PA, is that you can “play” the poem many ways and choose many first lines.

“Play” has multiple meanings in this context: like a game and like an instrument.

Every key on your keyboard becomes a line in a poem and a musical note played aloud.

Avenue S is an exploration of space through clicking across screens; it is meant to overwhelm you and make you feel lost. There are click-through images, pop-ups, and things that might confuse people unfamiliar with certain digital proprieties concerning navigation.

Both of these projects explore space and navigation, yet through entirely different lenses. While Avenue S is more direct via classic click-and-explore navigation, Yardley allows you to write a poem and play an instrument at the same time, creating an intricate lace between physical space (screen space), sound, and poetry.

student blogs

Yardley PA 1997 and Avenue S

  • Yardley, PA, 1997
    • I really like how in order to make the text move, you can press the keys in a certain order or just press the spacebar.
      • Pressing the keys in a certain order makes this feel like a game which is really cool. 
      • Great choice by the author to make this decision as it really leans into the game aspect of interactive fiction.
    • The background colors, font, and fireflies invoke a short of coziness. It gives vibe of Summer evenings catching fireflies.
      • Since the piece has the year 1997 in it’s title, I am assuming it takes place then.
      • I definitely get nostalgia vibes from just staring at the piece.
    • The music sounds like it could be a vinyl record because I can hear record scratches.
      • It is very calming and really adds a wonderful dimension to this piece.
    • The way that the words fade away like fireflies in the dark is really working for the piece.
      • I like how the instructions tell you to press the button to make the next line of text appears as soon as the last line disappears.
        • This plays into the firefly motif since they glow and then go dark as another firefly lights up.
    • What a hauntingly beautiful ending. The way all the text overwhelmed the screen and the music rises to a crescendo and then it all flickers away into the darkness as we are reminded how ephemeral everything in life is.
  • Avenue S
    • What an interesting piece! At first I thought it would be more text based and straight forward, but there is a lot of imagery here that needs to be interpreted.
    • I think I understand one aspect of how on some pages there is a ton of clutter which is the idea of living in a city that the author misses.
    • It’s interesting how some things on the pages, like certain images, take time to make their full picture. This can be a metaphor for having to wait for things in the city – like buses, trains, lines, or slow walkers.
    • I think the author is showing what city life can look like to outsiders – overwhelming and crowded. But to people who live in the city, it is the hustle and bustle that makes the city feel alive.
    • It’s interesting to note how simple all of the people are drawn. Maybe this is the author’s way of saying that in the end, all people are the same, no matter how you appear on the outside. 
    • I really like the aspect that the reader has to make meaning out of this. The author gives hints in that each page has a different title if you look in the name of the tab. It seems the story being told isn’t a solid narrative, rather it is a series of the author’s observations about city living that tell a story of change caused by Covid.
      • What happens to the crowded city that you love, when it’s people are forced to stay away from each other? If you came to the city for the connection, what do you have in the Covid era? Just isolation. For those who feel alone, Covid in the city is an awful reminder that no matter where you go, the world is forcing you and others to keep your distance (physically and emotionally).