Poem Field No. 2

About This Movie

So, 'Poem Field No. 2' is part of VanDerBeek's 'Poemfields' series, and it really dives into the intersection of poetry and technology. The animation is pretty raw, yet it has this fascinating charm, created on an IBM 7094 with BEFLIX. You get these flowing visuals that somehow evoke the rhythms of the poems themselves, and it's all done in stark black and white, which adds to that ethereal vibe. It's not just a film; it's an exploration of digital art in its early days, with a tone that feels both experimental and deeply reflective on language and meaning. The pacing is a bit meditative, letting you really soak in the visual poetry.

This film remains relatively obscure, with limited distribution over the years, making it quite a treasure for collectors interested in experimental animation. There are few known prints circulating, and it tends to pop up at specialized events or retrospectives on digital art. Given its unique background and the collaborative effort with Ken Knowlton, it holds a niche appeal for those fascinated by the early days of computer-generated art.