Ginae.maul
Jul 20, 2017 · 4 min read

Formal Analysis Final: The Only Reason We’re Alive

IN-Q is a spoken word poet from Los Angeles who focuses his work on providing insight to analyzing what it really means to be human and explores the various human experiences that everyone goes through but on a deeper level. The Only Reason We’re Alive is a spoken word poem along with the guidance of an animated digital artwork video. The poem is a narrative about falling in love at the age of 85. The video starts off with a soft calming piano tune playing in the background with the word “love” floating above clouds. This imagery prepares the mind for the exploration of the question “what is love?”. The next images seen are an elderly man and woman couple happily getting along, dancing in love. The narrator goes on to list descriptions of the types of dates and activities him and his significant other would do and his idealistic view of life in love at age 85. The actual spoken word of the poem is in an ABAB rhyme scheme, which establishes a musical rhythm. This aids the flow of the poem as the narrator “raps” down his list, creating anticipation for the next part of the story. IN-Q’s idea of what it means to be in love is down to earth and romantic. He talks about shuffleboard dates and dancing to hip hop from 1995, dressing like the iconic RUNDMC. The moving images depict exactly the words of the narrator’s voice. The poem does not leave out the expected hardships that come with loving at an old age. He talks about death and how it will inevitably come. He explains loving someone through sickness and death and remaining loyal and loving to his partner no matter what. The animation gradually goes down a timeline showing what comes with old age love as the couple slowly each day gets closer to their passing. The poem concludes saying “Love is the only reason they were alive and and none of us should have to wait until we’re 85”. The poem itself is the definition of genuine and unconditional love. The video amplifies the potential power in relationship-based love and what it looks like to connect with someone on such a deep level. The poem also ends with a call to action. It asks the audience to not wait to find love but to find it now.

The moving artwork in this digital narrative helps truly hone in on IN-Q’s message. Seeing an actual visual of human love interactions imitated via digital content helps the audience relate more to what they are hearing as they simultaneously follow along to the story the artistic visual provides. IN-Q’s animations are successful in conveying his message to any audience because they appeal to children and adults. Children are able to understand and grasp the concept of the narrative because the sequencing of the animation makes sense and matches the narrator’s story. IN-Q’s ultimate message is that love is the only reason we are all alive. The video perfectly expresses this showing a man care for his elderly wife in her dying old age. These warm-hearted displays of affection provoke intense emotional feelings to audience viewers which further connect them to the meaning of the poem. The soft piano music playing along with the narrators choice of ABAB rhyme scheme creates a simple and straightforward effect. We are clearly able to hear what the narrator is saying and the ABAB rhyme scheme really impacts how we perceive the message.

The animated effects and moving artwork in video are what really gives this poem it’s digital aspect. The artwork remediates old-fashioned paint and canvas images, but are brought to life digitally. The painted-like images give off a traditional old-fashioned aesthetic, making it easier to envision life at an older age. Sometimes the animations would express parts of the poem that were not technically said but rather implied. For example, in the poem IN-Q mentions “knocking the boots” with his elderly wife but before he says this, underwear, and a shoe appear to be flying or thrown around in the air. This visual already gives the audience an idea of what he is speaking about for the younger generations who may not know what this old-school expression means. Likewise, the digital animation in this poem do the same thing but in the opposite way. A quick animation effect with no real visual helps the audience to focus in on what is being said in order to understand. For example, when IN-Q talks about inevitable death and how it will erase and replace the elderly couple, the animation doesn’t exactly show death. It shows the couple dancing together while a sweep of leaves blows in, around and back out of the couple. This digital effect serves as a metaphor.

IN-Q’s purpose of his poetry career is to question the meaning of life itself and humanity. His fans are truly important to his work as he seeks to guide his audience into deeper thinking and self reflection with every piece he creates. The Only Reason We’re Alive is a digital narrative that successfully uses moving animated artwork and sound/rhythm to enhance his overall message that love is essential to humans. The video was posted on IN-Q’s YouTube channel but can also be found on other digital platforms as well as non-digital. The video has close to 2 million views and leaves room for critics and praises under the video in the comment section. All in all, IN-Q’s poem is an important message to society and is unique in showing how traditional forms of art can be transformed into new digital art and use all the special effects of technology to enhance his delivery.

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