I am utterly fascinated with this concept...Mail Art.
Heard of it? Simply defined, it's art you send through the mail. The twist is, the art is what you send, it isn't packaged, and the markings from the post office, the smudges, small tears and imperfections that occur in shipping become part of the art. Apparently it is very popular, although, finding up to date links and sites for it has been a bit difficult. I'm dying to try it... so, the prompt for October is Mail Art...
Create something and send to someone you know, or, pick a totally random name and send it to someone you don't know. Or, I'm listing below some mail art "calls", you could send it to one of them. Or, if you are a part of the group who plays along with the prompt here, and would like me to offer your mailing address up to the group (only, not published on the blog) let me know and I'll be happy to share (more on that in the email I'll be sending). And, don't forget, if you'd like to join the group, you are ALWAYS welcome... we have some pretty strict rules though (she laughs as she types that), so be sure to go here to read them...
Now... off we all go, to create some mail art!
And, just in case you haven't heard of this phenomena yet, I'm adding a few links here to give you more information...
From Every Life Has a Story, a GREAT mail art instructional video...and lots of mail art examples...
The International Union of Mail Artists... some links, information, and mail calls...(this is an ning network)...
Lots of mail art pics on Ruud Janssen's blog...
If you know of more links that you love in regard to mail art, please leave them in comments to this post too!
More links I've uncovered:
Mara Thompson...mail art call "Note to Self" (closes December 2010)
From Mail Art Projects... more mail calls:
Cat Call (currrently no deadline)
Hands Across the Water (closes Jan 2011)
Mail Art blogs, or Mail Art blog posts:
DigitalMailArt
Daisy Yellow
Blueherrondesign's Blog
The Three Muses
this looks really interesting!!!!
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm totally laughing... at myself.
ReplyDeleteI read the post about the September submissions and at the very end you said something about the Oct prompt being "mail art." I just assumed it meant art about mail somehow. So I ran off to my collaging desk and over a couple days, made the first mixed media collage that I'm really happy with.
Then I read this post and find out that mail art is something you actually MAIL! Who knew...
I have a couple weeks so I'll probably make one, but meanwhile the mis-interpretation resulted in a piece I'm really happy with.
I'm in! Joyce at Calico Paint and I are partnering. I can't wait to see what she sends.
ReplyDeleteI've been involved with 'Mail Art' for over 23 years...started for me, during the Rubberstamping craze back 24 years ago. Well, I've narrowed down my 'keepings' of some of the fun stuff I received back in the day. Still at the top of my list; Pineapple from my friend vacationing in Hawaii. Yes, just the Pineapple with postage and address.
ReplyDeleteI've received countless plungers and a flip flop or two...my list is LONG, may have to post a few pictures up on my blog in near future, now that you've inspired me!
Happy Mail Art discovery to you!!!
Though it's been a few years since I have sent much stuff, it's always a happy memory!