by InTrieste
On a quiet street in Trieste’s San Giacomo neighborhood, a small cultural association is inviting the public to rediscover the poetry hidden in plain sight.
In conjunction with the exhibition Geniali Girotondi Grafici, currently on view at Associazione 18:18, a blackout poetry workshop will take place on Saturday, February 28, 2026, from 5 to 8 p.m., at the association’s headquarters in via Frausin 3B.
Blackout poetry, sometimes referred to as erasure poetry, transforms existing printed texts into new works by selectively obscuring words with ink or marker, leaving behind fragments that form a poem. The technique, both playful and contemplative, has gained renewed attention in recent years for its accessibility and its ability to merge visual art with literature.
The workshop is conceived as an extension of the themes explored in Geniali Girotondi Grafici, which examines the expressive possibilities of line, gesture and repetition in contemporary graphic practice. Participants will be invited to work directly on printed pages, using markers to redact and reshape text into personal compositions. No prior experience is required.
Associazione 18:18, a nonprofit cultural space in Trieste, regularly hosts exhibitions, talks and hands-on events aimed at fostering dialogue between artists and the community. The blackout poetry session reflects the organization’s broader interest in participatory formats that encourage experimentation across disciplines.
Among the works featured in the exhibition is “Untitled” (2025), by Laura Ballico — marker on paper, 21 × 29.7 cm — a piece that underscores the immediacy and tactile quality of drawing with simple materials. The workshop offers a parallel opportunity for visitors to explore similar tools in a literary context, blurring the boundary between image and word.
Further details about participation and registration are available directly through Associazione 18:18.
