Descriptions are a powerful tool. They help viewers understand, critique, and visualize works, often revealing details we might overlook at first glance or encouraging us to delve deeper into what we’ve noticed. A great description answers essential questions: Who? What? When? Where? Why? And how? It vividly describes both the obvious characteristics and the underlying nuances.

In “We Served…and they felt tiny bursts along the horizon,” Malcolm Peacock uses an intimate setting and mannerisms to shape the participant’s experience. The interaction between the two participants feels deeply personal and slightly strange. Through sounds and sights, Peacock sets the mood, making the participants (and readers) immerse themselves in the moment. Writer TK Smith captures this dynamic beautifully with precise nouns and action verbs, painting a clear picture of the scene. Sentences like, “It was not our meal. It was my meal. He was there to only serve. The performance had already begun,” are brief yet potent, evoking discomfort and highlighting the awkward rigidity of the performance.

A snapshot of the performance work by Peacock.

Jessica Stockholder, in “Torque, Jelly Role, and Goose Bump,” uses action verbs, vivid adjectives, and metaphors to engage the reader’s imagination. The language challenges us to think deeper about what is happening. The description is arranged in a poem-like structure, which is eye-catching, though it might not be effective for everyone. Personally, I found this approach less satisfying. While it had poetic beauty, as a description, it felt lacking in direction and clarity.

Del O’Brian’s writing stands out for its straightforwardness. His descriptions focus directly on the work, using action verbs like “scribbled” and “scrawled” to allow readers to visualize the pieces effortlessly. This style resonates deeply with me as a visual thinker. O’Brian’s simplicity and clarity make his descriptions incredibly effective. Without complicated language, he masterfully conveys the essence of the work, enabling readers to “see” without being present.

Among the three, O’Brian’s approach is my favorite, as it aligns with my preference for clear, vivid imagery. In contrast, Stockholder’s poetic style, while beautiful in form, fell short as a descriptive tool for me.

Descriptions, at their best, are more than mere words—they are bridges between observation and imagination. They invite us to look, think, and feel more deeply, transforming how we engage with art and performance.

Links to Articles Reviewed:

https://jessicastockholder.info/projects/writing/torque-jelly-role-and-goose-bump

Del O’Brien (ARTICLE IS MIA AND WILL BE UPLOADED ONCE FOUND!)