Make a 20-years celebrating IUOMA book or not?

[Ruud Janssen]

Is it worth the trouble to make a special book about the IUOMA and to print it. Also make the book available in digital form for free?

[Carla Cryptic]

It's a thought - are you up for it? It would be a lot of work, as you know from publishing your other books. :) OTOH, why not, if you are willing... one thing which would be cool would be to have a page for each artist who participates in this 20th anniversary call. That could be an interesting combination - a tribute to IUOMA and a tribute to the artists, too. We could each send you a sentence or two (max) of our mail art credo or something. Just a thought. :)

I like the digital form of the book being available for free but can you afford to do that? We could probably each contribute something (1 - 5 dollars, for example?) to pay for the time to make the book work (I am a graphic artist so I know how much time this can take, no matter how devoted one is to a work, it takes time from other work which pays, you know?). Still, these are just thoughts - I will go along with whatever you decide to do. :)

[MailWorks]

of course, it's worth the trouble. MailWorks

[Mirta Toledo]

Hola Ruud,
I think the book is a great idea, but not to make it available in digital form for free.
Blurb is one possibility that could be great, because you only have to buy one sample. After that,
people can buy the book whenever they are ready.

You created IUOMA twenty years ago, I bet there is a lot of experiences that you have to share,
not only to the IUOMA members, but for people from all over the world. I can´t believe that I didnt know about mail art two years ago, and there are many things that still I do not know and I want to learn.
I tell my students about Mail Art and their are fascinated.
The book is not for vanity, I think, is a great and needed document not only for us, but for generations to come, and for the new artists that are begining now.
And even for people who are not artists at all, the internet is all over the world and people may get to see it and get involved. There are something magical about mail, envelopes and their contents, a feeling of having that piece coming from far away in our hands. There is a similar feeling when having a book in our hands something that we can share with others, even children. Internet is great, and I love it. But still, books are cozzy, intimate, and beautiful objects to cherish.
I will buy your book about the 20 years of IOUMA, and I bet it will be good to buy for presents too.

[Mad Max]

A book is a good idea - there are places where you can upload a book and people can buy a digital copy or will print it for you. I'm guessing the biggest problem with printing it yourself is the cost. How about an art show of work as well? You could do a travelling one and send it from one member to another in a different country and have the show in as many countries as you can. I could do one in Toronto in my space if you are interested let me know.

[Flora Raducan]

Definitely it's worth the trouble!!!

[Ruud Janssen]

The work has started. All old material of the IUOMA will be integrated in the book, but also new stuff. Some authos have been asked (some quite well known here too) and I am open for offers to contribute to the publications (visuals and texts).

[Mail Art Martha]

If you feel a book will be very expensive in effort and money, I suggest a show of commemorative artistamps instead. Or more appropiate, perhaps, of rubber stamps, the subject being the celebration of 20 years of IUOMA.

[Ruud Janssen]

http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/iuoma-1988-2008/11388318

The book is available now for you if you want to order a copy.