The question of Dada

So much of what the Sticker Dude does is collaborative.  Although he might use a collaborative piece or two on his envelopes, they are something I imagine is a singular act. Sticker Dude's envelopes are a mixture of protest and belonging. You might find heroes and demons sitting side by side on a Sticker Dude envie.

This mailing is about Ed. I received mail from Ed (for mail art exhibitions I have hosted), but we don't trade regularly. My circle seems to get smaller and smaller as other things usurp my time, so it's good to hold a few of his pieces in my keen hands.

Our norms are shifting in these pandemic years.  Gone are the days of the simple pleasures like a martini or a cafe visit. Do Dadaists drink martinis?

Usually Sticker Dude tells me that a mailing is for the archives.  This surreal, dystopian add-and-pass is definately a keeper, so I wll assume I should. It feels like a snapshot of this moment in time.

I found the cheese. 

I wonder what Dada would do with Trumpism?  Could we be anymore shocked? Would Dada disrupt the heirarchy?

 

Gardeners and mailartists NEVER sleep

Just brilliant to get all the Cascadia news and ideas about what Jack plans for 2022! Jack has a wonderful habit of writing letters as well as sending mail art. He has bespoke Cascadia Artpost letterhead and writes in beautiful longhand. 

When I was writing my 100 + holiday cards (and I fill them up with writing for every person I send them to), I thought I should continue this with my mailart and write one longhand letter every day in 2022. (So far, that hasn't happened, in fact, no mail art so far:( ), so I am even more impressed by Cascadia.

Another thing that knocks my socks off is the way Cascadia attends to his garden! It's a definite.  He can't possibly sleep.  

I also attach an article Cascadia included in the mailing following on from his 'Kabul Moment' cards. Thank you Cascadia, see you in the post, soon!

 

The Vault isn't empty

 Keith has made a new kind of skull and crossbones in this iconic image. She's a pirate, or a tomb-raider, full of charisma but without much substance, at least so we think on first glance. 

And perhaps in anticiaption of Day of the Dead?

where do ideas come from and how much do we steal from our predecessors? Not sure, but Keith has made something fresh in this journey.

Thank you Bravo!

Autoumn Haiku

Mailart Martha continues to be a faithful correspondent and even though whe was busy in the run-up to Christmas, she also humoured me! I am very grateful to have her beautiful haiku boekie to add to my collection!

The Boekie was wrapped in what I recognise as stickers from Keith Chambers that accompanied his/our collaborative Exquisite Corpse Cut Up.  Below, Martha tells me she used her face in a painting programme and added the glasses later. I love the outcome!

Thanks martha, I sent a boekie to the other person in our chain and included a copy of yours. I will send you something soon.
 

Oligarch's and their Conveyances

I got the heads-up from Cascadia Artpost  ( in another piece of mail art I will be posting soon) that he was sending me more Oligarch fodder for my outrage. Using his favourite form of protest (the post) to upbrade the 'haves' for their poor choices. THESE PEOPLE. 

I'm not sure if this arrived very slowly (thanks Louis De Joy) or if I have been so very busy since mid October.  (I thought it was only since November.) Great to get back in the swing and to know I have a kindred spirit in Washinton.

 

Wear a mask / see you at day of the dead

As far as I'm concerned, Tofu is the cut up king. I have a library of beautiful painted cut up and refashioned collages that Tofu has sent me over the years.  

In this mailing, Tofu diverges to make something recogniseable, but far away, from a time I recollect. What he has made with his cut up vintage postcards is an imagined world, or perhaps a map that winds through time and space. As ever, Tofu's sense of colour makes this piece.

If you want one of your own (mine is a postcard) Tofu makes it easy to find one, with his handy QR code.

As we move further on the Covid journey, perhaps commemorating and coinciding with Day of the Dead, Tofu masks his mask.

What a beautiful mailing!

Thank you.

 

Twas the Season

Beautiful work arrived from Mikel sometime in November/December.  I have been remiss in recording dates, but that does not diminish my enthusiasm. 

I see tags, baubles, a landscape fit for the three kings, good wishes, cheer and the promise of the new year. 

I love it all and feel happy to prolong my holiday season.

Thank you Mikel!