Untrace by Serge Bouchardon
A CRITICAL INTRODUCTION
SUMMARY
Untrace is an interactive work of electronic literature, created in 2016 by Serge Bouchardon. It revolves around the idea of leaving a trace, a remnant of yourself by which to be remembered. It is the third and final work in Bouchardon’s trilogy, Hyper-Tensions, and it uses similar visual and audio elements as its two predecessors. The piece begins with two bits of text: a message, and a question. The message is one left by the previous reader, and the current participant does not realize this until later when they are asked to leave a message of their own. The following reader of Untrace will then discover that message on their opening page. The question underneath, inquired by an unknown person, asks, “Did you leave me this message?” The reader then follows the speaker’s thoughts, phrase by phase, viewing the next only by mousing over each. Eventually, the reader is asked to leave a trace, and the screen prompts them with a choice: accept or refuse.
COMPONENTS
In this work, Serge Bouchardon structures a clear sequence for the reader to follow. If the reader does not mouse over the phrase in the beginning, for example, they cannot move on the remainder of the work. Once the reader understands what the creator wants them to do, they will continue that action, mousing over in this example, until it doesn’t progress the story anymore. In short, the format and mechanics control the reader’s navigation of the work and shape their experience in processing it. In its design, Untrace exhibits power over the reader; it leaves fragments for the reader to grasp into a narrative and self-reflective experience. By arranging the conversation in this stimulating and interactive format, Untrace leaves the reader feeling powerless, unable to direct their experience. The structure dominates the work, and the only thing you have control over is the trace you leave behind.
