Mail Art: Investigating Artworks Sent Through the Postal System (A Lecture!)
(Slide 1: Title Slide)
- Title: Mail Art: Investigating Artworks Sent Through the Postal System
- Image: A slightly chaotic collage of postcards, envelopes overflowing with random objects, and stamps plastered haphazardly. Think organized chaos.
- Speaker: (That’s me! Your friendly neighborhood art history enthusiast.) 👋
(Slide 2: Introduction – The Post Office as a Canvas)
Alright, gather ’round, art lovers, envelope aficionados, and anyone who’s ever wondered if you could mail a brick (spoiler alert: probably not, but some have tried!). Today, we’re diving deep into the wonderfully weird and surprisingly profound world of Mail Art.
Forget stuffy galleries and museum velvet ropes. We’re talking about art that bypasses the traditional art establishment and goes straight to the source – your mailbox! 📬 Think of it as a guerrilla art movement, a network of creative pen pals, and a rebellion against the commercialization of art, all rolled into one stamped and addressed package.
Mail Art is more than just decorating an envelope. It’s about communication, connection, and challenging the very definition of what art can be. It’s about democratizing art, making it accessible to everyone, regardless of their social standing or artistic background. It’s about finding art where you least expect it: nestled amongst the bills and junk mail. 💸
(Slide 3: What IS Mail Art? (And What It Isn’t!))
So, what exactly is Mail Art? Let’s define it, shall we?
Definition: Mail Art (also known as Postal Art) is an artistic movement that uses the postal system as a medium for creation, distribution, and communication. It involves sending artworks, often collaborative and participatory, through the mail.
Key Characteristics:
- Accessibility: No juries, no fees, everyone can participate!
- Participation: It’s often collaborative, inviting interaction and responses.
- Decentralization: It avoids traditional art institutions.
- Networking: It connects artists across geographical boundaries.
- Process-Oriented: The journey of the artwork is as important as the final product.
- Rejection of Commercialism: It’s often anti-establishment and non-profit.
What Mail Art ISN’T:
- Junk Mail: (Though some might argue the line is blurred… 😉)
- A Way to Avoid Postage: (Please, pay your dues! The USPS needs you!)
- Always Beautiful: (Sometimes it’s gloriously ugly, and that’s okay!)
- About Individual Fame: (It’s about the network, not the superstar.)
(Slide 4: A Brief (and Hilarious) History)
Okay, so where did this postal pandemonium begin? While artists have probably been embellishing their correspondence since the invention of the postal service (imagine illuminated letters delivered by pigeon!), the recognized birth of Mail Art is usually attributed to Ray Johnson in the 1960s.
Ray Johnson, a Pop Art artist who felt alienated by the mainstream art world, started sending out small, collaged artworks to his friends and colleagues. He called these "moticos" and encouraged recipients to add to them, copy them, or send them on to others. Thus, the New York Correspondence School (NYCS) was born! This wasn’t a school in the traditional sense, but a loose network of artists who communicated and collaborated through the mail.
Think of Ray Johnson as the OG Mail Art Influencer. 👑 He was quirky, enigmatic, and brilliant, laying the foundation for a movement that would spread across the globe.
(Slide 5: Key Figures & Movements)
Let’s meet some of the players in this postal drama:
| Artist/Movement | Key Characteristics | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Ray Johnson (NYCS) | Collages, moticos, playful instructions, Fluxus influence, emphasis on the network. | Image: A Ray Johnson collage featuring fragmented images, text, and stamps. |
| Fluxus | Experimental, anti-art, performance-based, often incorporated elements of chance and humor. Mail Art became a natural extension of their ethos. | Image: A Fluxus event score or a Fluxus kit designed to be mailed. |
| Anna Banana | Performance art, Banana Olympics (yes, really!), networking, and playful subversion of the art world. | Image: A postcard advertising the Banana Olympics or documentation of a performance art piece involving bananas and the mail. |
| Robert Filliou | "Eternal Network," emphasis on communication and connection, questioning the nature of art and its distribution. | Image: A postcard or envelope with Filliou’s signature "Eternal Network" stamp. |
| Ulises Carrión | Mail Art as a medium for conceptual art, emphasis on the postal system as a system of communication and control. | Image: Carrión’s "Mail Art and the Big Apple" project, a series of postcards documenting his experiences in New York City. |
| Dogfish (aka Jas W Felter) | Known for his highly detailed and elaborate mail art pieces, often incorporating found objects, rubber stamps, and intricate designs. A master of the envelope as a canvas. | Image: An example of Dogfish’s intricate and densely layered mail art, featuring rubber stamps, collage, and hand-drawn elements. |
(Slide 6: Techniques & Materials – Anything Goes (Almost!))
The beauty of Mail Art is that there are no rules! (Except, you know, postal regulations… more on that later). But here are some common techniques and materials:
- Collage: Combining images, text, and found objects. ✂️
- Rubber Stamping: Using stamps to create patterns, images, and text. 🖃
- Drawing & Painting: From simple doodles to elaborate illustrations. ✍️
- Photography: Sending original photos or altered images. 📸
- Photocopying: Creating multiples and manipulating images. 📠
- Altered Envelopes: Decorating, painting, and collaging directly onto the envelope. ✉️
- Assemblage: Attaching three-dimensional objects to the envelope. 🔩
- Found Objects: Using everyday items as art materials (buttons, bottle caps, feathers, etc.). 🪶
- Performance Art: Documenting a performance and sending the documentation through the mail. 🎭
Materials:
- Envelopes (all shapes and sizes!)
- Postcards
- Paper
- Paint
- Markers
- Stamps (both postage and rubber stamps)
- Glue
- Scissors
- Found objects
- Imagination! 🧠
(Slide 7: Mail Art Calls & Projects – The Invitation to Participate)
A common practice in Mail Art is the "Mail Art Call." This is essentially an open invitation for anyone to contribute to a specific project. The call will usually have a theme, a deadline, and instructions for participation. All submissions are typically exhibited or documented in some way.
Think of it as a global art jam session! 🎵
Examples of Mail Art Calls:
- "Send me your dreams!"
- "The World According to Bananas"
- "Postcards from the Apocalypse"
- "A Celebration of Rubber Stamps"
How to Find Mail Art Calls:
- Online Mail Art Directories
- Social Media Groups
- Art Blogs
- Word of Mouth (the best way!)
(Slide 8: The Postal System as Medium – More Than Just Delivery)
Mail Art isn’t just about sending art through the postal system; it’s about using the postal system as the medium.
- Stamps: Postage stamps become miniature works of art themselves. Artists collect them, alter them, and incorporate them into their designs.
- Postmarks: The postmark, often seen as a mundane detail, becomes a record of the artwork’s journey.
- Addresses: The act of addressing an envelope is a creative act in itself.
- The Envelope: The envelope is not just a container; it’s a canvas!
- The Journey: The unpredictable nature of the postal system adds an element of chance and surprise to the artwork. Will it arrive on time? Will it be damaged? Will it even arrive at all?
The postal system, usually associated with bureaucracy and mundane communication, is transformed into a playground for artistic expression.
(Slide 9: The Politics of Mail Art – Subversion & Resistance)
Mail Art is often inherently political. By bypassing the traditional art establishment, it challenges the power structures that control the art world.
- Democratization of Art: Making art accessible to everyone, regardless of their background.
- Anti-Commercialism: Rejecting the commodification of art.
- Freedom of Expression: Using the postal system as a platform for expressing dissenting opinions.
- Networking & Community Building: Creating connections between artists across geographical and political boundaries.
- Subverting Censorship: Sending messages and images that might be censored in other contexts.
Mail Art can be a powerful tool for social and political commentary. It’s a way to communicate ideas, challenge authority, and build solidarity.
(Slide 10: Legal Considerations & Postal Regulations – Don’t Get Arrested!)
Okay, let’s talk about the rules of the road. While Mail Art encourages creative freedom, it’s important to be aware of postal regulations. You don’t want to end up on the wrong side of the law! 👮♀️
Key Considerations:
- Postage: Pay the correct postage! Underpaid postage can result in delays or non-delivery.
- Prohibited Items: There are certain items that are prohibited from being sent through the mail (explosives, hazardous materials, live animals, etc.). Check your local postal regulations for a complete list.
- Size & Weight Restrictions: There are limits to the size and weight of packages that can be sent through the mail.
- Obscenity Laws: Be mindful of obscenity laws. What is considered obscene can vary depending on the location.
- Customs Regulations: If sending mail internationally, be aware of customs regulations.
Practical Tips:
- Check your local postal regulations before sending anything unusual.
- When in doubt, ask a postal worker!
- Package your artwork carefully to prevent damage during transit.
- Declare the contents of your package accurately on customs forms.
(Slide 11: The Legacy of Mail Art – From Envelopes to the Internet)
Mail Art has had a profound influence on contemporary art. It has inspired countless artists, challenged traditional notions of art, and fostered a spirit of collaboration and experimentation.
- Influence on Conceptual Art: Mail Art’s emphasis on process and ideas paved the way for Conceptual Art.
- Influence on Performance Art: Mail Art’s participatory nature and focus on communication influenced the development of Performance Art.
- Influence on Socially Engaged Art: Mail Art’s emphasis on community building and social commentary has inspired socially engaged art practices.
Mail Art in the Digital Age:
While the postal system remains a viable medium for Mail Art, the internet has opened up new possibilities for communication and collaboration.
- Email Art: Creating and distributing art via email.
- Online Forums & Groups: Connecting with other Mail Artists online.
- Digital Mail Art Calls: Participating in Mail Art projects online.
- Virtual Mail Art Exhibitions: Showcasing Mail Art online.
The spirit of Mail Art – accessibility, participation, and networking – continues to thrive in the digital age.
(Slide 12: Why Mail Art Matters – It’s More Than Just Licking Stamps!)
So, why does Mail Art matter? Why should we care about this seemingly quirky and obscure art movement?
- It’s a Democratizing Force: It breaks down the barriers to art participation.
- It’s a Creative Outlet: It provides a platform for self-expression and experimentation.
- It’s a Form of Communication: It connects people across geographical and cultural boundaries.
- It’s a Form of Resistance: It challenges the status quo and promotes social change.
- It’s FUN! It’s a playful and engaging way to interact with art and the world around you.
Mail Art is a reminder that art can be found in the most unexpected places. It’s a testament to the power of human connection and the enduring appeal of creativity.
(Slide 13: Get Involved! – Your Mission, Should You Choose to Accept It…)
Ready to join the Mail Art revolution? Here’s how you can get involved:
- Create your own Mail Art! Decorate an envelope, send a postcard, or create a collaborative project.
- Participate in a Mail Art Call! Find a call that interests you and contribute your artwork.
- Connect with other Mail Artists! Join an online forum or attend a Mail Art event.
- Spread the word about Mail Art! Share your creations on social media and encourage others to get involved.
- Most importantly: HAVE FUN!
(Slide 14: Resources – Your Mail Art Toolkit)
Here are some resources to help you on your Mail Art journey:
- Books: (List of relevant books on Mail Art)
- Websites: (Links to Mail Art directories, online forums, and artist websites)
- Museums & Archives: (List of institutions that hold Mail Art collections)
- Mail Art Groups on Social Media: (Facebook, Instagram, etc.)
(Slide 15: Q&A – Ask Me Anything (About Mail Art, Not My Dating Life!))
Okay, folks, that’s all I’ve got for you today! Now it’s time for questions. Don’t be shy! Ask me anything about Mail Art (but please, let’s keep the questions about my dating life to a minimum!).
(Slide 16: Thank You! – And Happy Mailing! ✉️)
Thank you for joining me on this postal adventure! I hope you’ve been inspired to explore the wonderful world of Mail Art. Now go forth and create! And remember, the best way to learn about Mail Art is to experience it yourself. So, grab an envelope, some stamps, and let your imagination run wild!
(Optional Closing Slide: A final image of a piece of Mail Art with a humorous message like "May your mailbox be filled with art, not bills!")
(Throughout the lecture, maintain a lighthearted and engaging tone. Use anecdotes, personal stories, and humorous observations to keep the audience entertained. Don’t be afraid to poke fun at the art world or the postal system. The goal is to make Mail Art accessible and appealing to a wide audience.)
