Watou poetry read thru | atelierhautecuisine

"Watou poetry read thru"

What if we removed a few barriers to help visitors at the Watou arts festival connect more easily with poetry? While exploring ways to make poetry more accessible, we found unexpected inspiration during a roadside stop at a fast-food drive-thru. The bright neon signs, the simple menu, and the efficiency of the process pulled us in and sparked an idea.

Why not borrow this familiar and effective tactic to reintroduce poetry to a wider audience?

At the heart of this concept stands a giant neon sign, a cheeky nod to fast food culture. The sign takes the iconic golden arches and flips them upside down, cleverly transforming them into the “W” of Watou. Perched in the middle of nature, the glowing “W Read Thru” sign immediately catches the eye, blending humor with a dash of rural charm.

This whimsical reinterpretation invites visitors to indulge in poetry as if it were a tempting snack. Like a menu board at a drive-thru, it offers a curated selection of poems, allowing visitors to pick and choose based on their mood. A self-order kiosk completes the experience, printing the chosen poem on a ticket so it can be enjoyed at own pace, wherever you like..

The visual humor of the flipped sign paired with the unexpected pairing of fast food aesthetics and high culture creates a playful atmosphere. It breaks down barriers, making poetry feel approachable, accessible, and just a little bit cheeky. The Watou Poetry Read-Thru reimagines how we consume art and invites everyone to take a moment, grab a poem, and savor the experience.