I have enjoyed this dialogue. It still amazes me that people from around the
globe can communicate with each other and not have weeks or months pass between
exchanges. When I first became involved with mail art back in 1979 it could
take months to hear back from another artist. Especially with those I
corresponded with who live in easter block countries... One time I received a
box in the mail from an artist from Poland I believe... I opened it up and in
the back was soil and a couple of live earth worms... It was mind blowing at
the time... These worms escaped.... anyway... I truly loved the exchange
between the artists.... the calls for entries were cool but I always looked
forward to receiving the documentation so see if there were new people I could
send something to... As far as censorship... if I want censorship I will go
back to the commercial gallery that represented me in the 1990's... I finally
left the gallery when I went to the "Christmas" Opening for a
multiples show... to find one of my pieces left out... I asked the dealer
where the pieces were and he told me he took it out because he was afraid it
would offend... I keep my cool and didn't make a fuss... but when the show was
over I left the gallery... I am back doing mail art because it is free and
open.... or should be!!!
"Mail art is an ephemeral activity about the sending of aesthetic messages.
It exists as an international network of connected artists which provides it
participants a matrix for carrying on communication experiements and exchanging
idead and images.....At its best, mail art appears as an active and lively
search for alternative forms of communication. It has the possibility for
stimulating dialogue, growth and awreness among its participants. At its
worst, mail artists present a fashionable, content-free sort of production more
about being with it' than attempting any kind of meaninful exchange." Mike
Crane, may 1979
Joseph Beuys talked about social sculpture and the creativity of every
person... I believe that mail/postal/correspondence/email art is or should be
totally democratic and censorship should have no part in it....
At least thats my 27cent stamps worth...
I have just recently gotten back into the network and would love to send you
something... My snail mail address is:
John Chiaromonte
250 Lilly
Batesville, AR 72501
USA
I will respond...
I also have two mail art calls if you would like to participate...
http://www.lyon.edu/webdata/users/jchiaromonte/call_for_entries.htm
Namaste,
John
Check me out!
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