1999 Experiment
2000 Experiment
2001 Experiment
2002 Experiment
2003 Experiment
2005 Experiment
2006 Experiment
2007 Experiment
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Hot off the press! "between sleeps" is the definitive anthology of the experiment from 1993-2005. Click here to read more about it.
The
3:15 Experiment,
ed. by Albert Flynn de Silver
Now
when I'm up (agonized) in the middle of the night with
the rest of man & woman kind I'm a little less lonely
Anne Waldman
In 1993, Poets Lee Ann Brown, Danika Dinsmore, Jen Hofer, Kathleen Large, Myshel Prasad, and Bernadette Mayer all connected at Naropa University's Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics Summer Writing Program. Danika was writing her thesis on states of consciousness and the writing process with a focus on Bernadette's work. She and Bernadette decided to create their own collaborative writing experiment and invited Lee Ann, Jen, Kathleen and Myshel to join in the planning. It was decided they would write each morning at 3:15 AM for the entire month of August in whatever time zone they were located. It was primarily an experiment in states of consciousness and writing, recording what was happening during "3:15 AM mind."
In 1994, 1996, 1997, and 1998 the collaboration grew in size as they invited other poets to participate. The format changed and they wrote at 3:15 AM in a specified time zone (i.e. 3:15 AM EST would be 12:15 AM PST). This altered slightly the focus of the experiment into writing within a "collective consciousness." The idea was to discover what connections would be made while writing separately, but together, at the same time for a month while under hypnogogic influences.
There
is a sense of camaraderie across time and distance and process.
There is process and idea clapped together, and the reverb off that clap.
Jen Hofer
In 1999, Naropa University hosted a 3:15 panel featuring Lee Ann, Danika, and Bernadette. There was an overwhelming response from those who wanted to join in the experiment. In an effort to keep it new, Lee Ann suggested writing twice a day, once at midnight and once at noon in whatever time zone anyone happened to be. The purpose, simply, to see what would happen and how it would alter the ritual. At this point, the website was created in order to make it easier to share these half-conscious ramblings with each other.
By 2000 and 2001 the experiment
was international, with poets participating in the U.S., Prague, Vienna,
Mexico City, and others traveling through Europe.
at
3:15, world slows, mind opens to impulse, direction, wandering … it is
what the day
brought and what is right in front of. there is more room at
3:15 to let this all in.
Danika Dinsmore
To view some of the scribblings of 3:15 participants, click on the links to each year. Not all participants choose to post their writing, some never even type them up, but for most, it is a month to look forward to each year. The capturing of 1/12 of your year in half-dream …
Danika Dinsmore
dinkypoet@hotmail.com
 The
3:15 Experiment now available from The Owl Press (www.theowlpress.com) with selections by Lee Ann Brown, Danika Dinsmore, Jen Hofer, and Bernadette Mayer edited by Albert Flynn de Silver introductions by Albert Flynn de Silver, Danika Dinsmore, and Jen Hofer $14.00 Click on the book for more information |
- Begin at the specified time on August 1st. Continue at specified time until August 31.
- Do not discuss the process or progress (except in general terms like—it's going well!) with any of the other 3:15 members during the month of August.
- You may write in any length, style, form, content, voice, rhythm, etc.
- DON'T EDIT your original work. This is raw stuff, baby. That's part of the experiment. You are welcome to edit, collage, break apart the poems later for whatever purpose you choose, but please SHARE THE RAW STUFF with the rest of the group once the experiment is over.
- (Optional) Do not read what you have written until the month is over, except to skim the work to make sure everything is legible.
