Mary Anne's Posts - International Union of Mail-Artists2024-03-29T00:43:58ZMary Annehttp://iuoma-network.ning.com/profile/MaryAnnehttp://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3375883282?profile=RESIZE_48X48&width=48&height=48&crop=1%3A1http://iuoma-network.ning.com/profiles/blog/feed?user=3302eee5pixna&xn_auth=nowork receivedtag:iuoma-network.ning.com,2020-08-21:2496677:BlogPost:24350432020-08-21T11:28:57.000ZMary Annehttp://iuoma-network.ning.com/profile/MaryAnne
<p>a real treasure arrived this week from my good friend Carmen Kennedy over in sunny Texas,<a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/7552321101?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/7552321101?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>a real treasure arrived this week from my good friend Carmen Kennedy over in sunny Texas,<a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/7552321101?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/7552321101?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>new arrivalstag:iuoma-network.ning.com,2020-07-12:2496677:BlogPost:24201062020-07-12T11:18:29.000ZMary Annehttp://iuoma-network.ning.com/profile/MaryAnne
<p>Sharing a couple of Yoko things have arrived recently;</p>
<p></p>
<p>First a little collage / painting by Viviana Buttarelli of Brescia in Italy.</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/6811568485?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-full" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/6811568485?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a></p>
<p>Second, a large piece by Mike Dyar of the US of A. This is so large I have had to make four scans and piece them together. The envelope was marked 'the completion of this work of art will be done…</p>
<p>Sharing a couple of Yoko things have arrived recently;</p>
<p></p>
<p>First a little collage / painting by Viviana Buttarelli of Brescia in Italy.</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/6811568485?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/6811568485?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>Second, a large piece by Mike Dyar of the US of A. This is so large I have had to make four scans and piece them together. The envelope was marked 'the completion of this work of art will be done by the postal system'. the postal system decided to frank the envelope upside down!</p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/6811680079?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/6811680079?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/6811687078?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/6811687078?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/6811695087?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/6811695087?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>just thought I would give this project a mention as, what with all the nonsense in the world right now, the chance to do something sensible might appeal . . .
http://that-golden-afternoon.blogspot.c…tag:iuoma-network.ning.com,2020-07-07:2496677:BlogPost:24173762020-07-07T18:22:16.000ZMary Annehttp://iuoma-network.ning.com/profile/MaryAnne
<p>just thought I would give this project a mention as, what with all the nonsense in the world right now, the chance to do something sensible might appeal . . . </p>
<p><a href="http://that-golden-afternoon.blogspot.com/">http://that-golden-afternoon.blogspot.com/…</a></p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/17880345?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-full" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/17880345?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a></p>
<p>just thought I would give this project a mention as, what with all the nonsense in the world right now, the chance to do something sensible might appeal . . . </p>
<p><a href="http://that-golden-afternoon.blogspot.com/">http://that-golden-afternoon.blogspot.com/</a></p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/17880345?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/17880345?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>state of the mailtag:iuoma-network.ning.com,2020-03-31:2496677:BlogPost:23910322020-03-31T04:09:10.000ZMary Annehttp://iuoma-network.ning.com/profile/MaryAnne
<p>In case this may be of use or interest - I found that the auction site Delcampe has a dedicated Virus page that lists various countries together with a brief description of the state of their snail mail and links to their postal authorities sites. I followed along to Royal mail and they have a long list of countries updated every day. Russia is listed as closed for business and Germany listed as #problematical' but Spain seems to be open which surprises me given the news from there. Most…</p>
<p>In case this may be of use or interest - I found that the auction site Delcampe has a dedicated Virus page that lists various countries together with a brief description of the state of their snail mail and links to their postal authorities sites. I followed along to Royal mail and they have a long list of countries updated every day. Russia is listed as closed for business and Germany listed as #problematical' but Spain seems to be open which surprises me given the news from there. Most of the closed countries seemed to be of the small island type.</p>
<p>If it is anything to go by, my personal experience is that everything seems to be arriving here as usual - even from Germany - except things from USA seem a little slow.</p>New arrivalstag:iuoma-network.ning.com,2020-03-23:2496677:BlogPost:23896712020-03-23T20:27:53.000ZMary Annehttp://iuoma-network.ning.com/profile/MaryAnne
<p>I haven't sent out much recently so I haven't expected a lot to arrive but I have here a nice little pile of goodies from Carmen Kennedy. Katerina N. Bonniediva. Charlotte Geister. Mark Sommerfield. and Reed Altemus. I will post some scans later. If I can manage to get things posted I will do. There is a rumour of something big happening tonight so maybe runs to the post office will be banned. Wait and see. </p>
<p>Life seems to be making itself overlarge in my art activities at the…</p>
<p>I haven't sent out much recently so I haven't expected a lot to arrive but I have here a nice little pile of goodies from Carmen Kennedy. Katerina N. Bonniediva. Charlotte Geister. Mark Sommerfield. and Reed Altemus. I will post some scans later. If I can manage to get things posted I will do. There is a rumour of something big happening tonight so maybe runs to the post office will be banned. Wait and see. </p>
<p>Life seems to be making itself overlarge in my art activities at the moment. Having enjoyed doing my box for the Hannah Hoch project I had made plans to collate all of this years mail art arrivals into a nice container of some sort; a sort of miniature archive. I doubt if this will happen now as we all have more pressing things to concern us. I am trying to come up with a plan to have a sort of rolling exhibition somewhere public. All the galleries are closed and people need (or so I believe) some sort of art in their lives even if it is only as a distraction. I will mention here if I have any success and post some pictures if I can. At the moment I can think of nothing useful except to hand deliver a little collage to each of the flats in my house. if nothing else it will give them all a surprise! ha ha.</p>
<p>Italy is much in my thoughts. Their artists have been great contributors to the eternal network over the years. I hope we will not loose too many (and one is too many) . . .</p>A few new artistampstag:iuoma-network.ning.com,2020-02-05:2496677:BlogPost:23791002020-02-05T10:46:11.000ZMary Annehttp://iuoma-network.ning.com/profile/MaryAnne
<p>Sorting through last month's mailart arrivals; here are a few new stamps arrived . . .</p>
<p></p>
<p>First, from Cascadia, a sheet of his Ticket project stamps. He very kindly used my contribution on his envelope so I illustrate it here as unique . . .</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3848414541?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-full" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3848414541?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a></p>
<p>second a little something from Denise Woodward they have been beautifully hand stamped and…</p>
<p>Sorting through last month's mailart arrivals; here are a few new stamps arrived . . .</p>
<p></p>
<p>First, from Cascadia, a sheet of his Ticket project stamps. He very kindly used my contribution on his envelope so I illustrate it here as unique . . .</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3848414541?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3848414541?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>second a little something from Denise Woodward they have been beautifully hand stamped and will go towards nice new page in my album.</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3848414791?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3848414791?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>Lastly is a new booklet from Cirdulaire 132. Usualy a few stamps included amongst the contents but this time a nice Fluxus creation on the front cover.</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3848415177?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><br/><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3848415177?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>All in all a nice crop that will keep me busy with my albums for another rainy afternoon. Many thanks to all . . .</p>A question for the faithfultag:iuoma-network.ning.com,2020-01-12:2496677:BlogPost:23728212020-01-12T08:02:05.000ZMary Annehttp://iuoma-network.ning.com/profile/MaryAnne
<p>I have just woken myself up from a bad dream. I don't know quite what time it is but it's still dark out so I guess 'early' will do. I suffer from dreams a lot. yhis was a dandy and I have been left wondering just how many people, out there in the Eternal Network, really find mail art sustaining to the spirit and an encouragement? Or is it all just a distraction, putting off the inevitable??</p>
<p>I was wondering which, if you came across a Genie who could move mountains and make…</p>
<p>I have just woken myself up from a bad dream. I don't know quite what time it is but it's still dark out so I guess 'early' will do. I suffer from dreams a lot. yhis was a dandy and I have been left wondering just how many people, out there in the Eternal Network, really find mail art sustaining to the spirit and an encouragement? Or is it all just a distraction, putting off the inevitable??</p>
<p>I was wondering which, if you came across a Genie who could move mountains and make anything possible, which pieces of art (say five pieces for the purpose) you would have in your home; not as interior decoration or financial investment, but as something to hold on to during the difficulties, something to light the way and inspire hope. Five pieces. any size, any date. Images could be posted instead of a list . . . or maybe five works would be too hard and five artists could be chosen instead?</p>
<p>I'm just interested that's all . . .</p>incoming sunshinetag:iuoma-network.ning.com,2019-11-27:2496677:BlogPost:23626282019-11-27T08:28:26.000ZMary Annehttp://iuoma-network.ning.com/profile/MaryAnne
<p>It is Autumn and England is grey and damp. That's part of its charm, I suppose, but it can be a little wearing after a while; so when the postie struggles to deliver a great slab of Italian mail art he is the most popular person in my world. This week he delivered a monster. i don't think I have ever had such an envelope arrive unannounced on my doorstep and it is going to take a week or two to digest its contents.</p>
<p>This week I received a parcel from Roberto Formigoni.</p>
<p>Here…</p>
<p>It is Autumn and England is grey and damp. That's part of its charm, I suppose, but it can be a little wearing after a while; so when the postie struggles to deliver a great slab of Italian mail art he is the most popular person in my world. This week he delivered a monster. i don't think I have ever had such an envelope arrive unannounced on my doorstep and it is going to take a week or two to digest its contents.</p>
<p>This week I received a parcel from Roberto Formigoni.</p>
<p>Here are a few scans of the many contents but 'tis only a hint of what I have received because everything is double sided; everything seems to fold out, and everything is annotated!</p>
<p>First, the envelope; which is too big for my scanner. It is so covered with stamps and photos and writing that the post office seem to have given up the search and not bothered to cancel the stamps:</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3743505556?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3743505556?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3743505862?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3743505862?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>Inside there was an 'old skool' photocopied sheet of mail art news and projects:</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3743508535?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3743508535?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>Then there were a number of posters that advertised past exhibitions and projects that Roberto and his chums have been involved with over recent years. They all fold out and, put together, they would more than cover all the wall space in my studio!:</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3743514295?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3743514295?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3743514725?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3743514725?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3743514880?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3743514880?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3743515292?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3743515292?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3743515647?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3743515647?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>and lastly, a perfect-bound book of Roberto's photos. Well beyond the call od duty.</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3743518280?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3743518280?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>So much to look through and understand! How on earth am I going to respond to it all? Just from the point of view of cost alone, this represents a significant gift and I doubt if Roberto, or anyone else, could afford to send such a mailing very often and certainly not to a stranger.</p>
<p>I don't know if Roberto is an IUOMA member but, just in case, thanks anyway. Something will be on its way to Italy as soon as I can think of something worthy . . .</p>
<p></p>mystery arrivaltag:iuoma-network.ning.com,2019-11-12:2496677:BlogPost:23592002019-11-12T11:20:19.000ZMary Annehttp://iuoma-network.ning.com/profile/MaryAnne
<p>This oddity arrived a week or so ago. I nothing of it other than, giving the recent posts about the presence of money in the mail art universe, I thought it might be of some interest. All the 'artwork' is copies; for example the 'hello Mary' collage has my name written on a label stuck over the original. The 'dedication' at the top of that sheet is also a label stuck over another name. None of it inspires me to take advantage of the offer and send money for the book but I give the…</p>
<p>This oddity arrived a week or so ago. I nothing of it other than, giving the recent posts about the presence of money in the mail art universe, I thought it might be of some interest. All the 'artwork' is copies; for example the 'hello Mary' collage has my name written on a label stuck over the original. The 'dedication' at the top of that sheet is also a label stuck over another name. None of it inspires me to take advantage of the offer and send money for the book but I give the address here in case anyone else out there does. You never know it be a bargain . . . <a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3709437809?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3709437809?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3709438292?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3709438292?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3709438492?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3709438492?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3709438834?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3709438834?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3709439163?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3709439163?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>Blog number 15 - art critisism for beginers . . .tag:iuoma-network.ning.com,2019-10-24:2496677:BlogPost:23560492019-10-24T07:18:27.000ZMary Annehttp://iuoma-network.ning.com/profile/MaryAnne
<p>Last night I saw a picture pinned up near someone's desk. </p>
<p>It was a marvel. A4. There was a great spray of oil gushing up over a desert landscape. An ecological comment? Energy. The violence of a new discovery perhaps and also the excitement. How had the effect been achieved? Black ink sprayed over a semi abstract landscape? Perfect composition. The hand of an undiscovered master? I went closer - took a better look . . .</p>
<p>A rather poor colour photocopy of a photograph -…</p>
<p>Last night I saw a picture pinned up near someone's desk. </p>
<p>It was a marvel. A4. There was a great spray of oil gushing up over a desert landscape. An ecological comment? Energy. The violence of a new discovery perhaps and also the excitement. How had the effect been achieved? Black ink sprayed over a semi abstract landscape? Perfect composition. The hand of an undiscovered master? I went closer - took a better look . . .</p>
<p>A rather poor colour photocopy of a photograph - a close up shot of someone's hairy pooch eating an ice cream!</p>
<p>I took my glasses off but the desert wouldn't come back to me. Vision gone. Nothing but a rather reproachful eye in a mess of hair . . .</p>
<p>There should be a moral to this - I'm sure there is one - but da**ed if I can find it.</p>
<p>Woof! . . .</p>Blog Fourteen; A word of encouragement.tag:iuoma-network.ning.com,2019-10-11:2496677:BlogPost:23532602019-10-11T07:49:25.000ZMary Annehttp://iuoma-network.ning.com/profile/MaryAnne
<p>The good people of the Hannah Hoch's Fan Club Group here on IUOMA have a little project underway and nearing something like a deadline. It would be nice (for us at least( if a few more people joined the party; perhaps (I am a Brit after all) a few more Europeans to even up the score? </p>
<p>A list of participants can be found on the group posting if you care to drop by. Don't be shy. It may even introduce you to a whole new world . . .</p>
<p>The good people of the Hannah Hoch's Fan Club Group here on IUOMA have a little project underway and nearing something like a deadline. It would be nice (for us at least( if a few more people joined the party; perhaps (I am a Brit after all) a few more Europeans to even up the score? </p>
<p>A list of participants can be found on the group posting if you care to drop by. Don't be shy. It may even introduce you to a whole new world . . .</p>A very British blog . . .tag:iuoma-network.ning.com,2019-10-08:2496677:BlogPost:23523902019-10-08T11:51:57.000ZMary Annehttp://iuoma-network.ning.com/profile/MaryAnne
<p>I am fairly certain that most of the people who will read this will be American or at the very least non-British and therefore it will be a completes mystery to them but I am British and the last thing I would do would be to complain.</p>
<p>Can't do it.</p>
<p>No matter how disappointing the restaurant meal, no matter how rude the shop assistant, no matter what nonsense the man on the phone throws at me as an excuse, I can't complain or if I do, I suffer.</p>
<p>A fortnight ago I mentioned,…</p>
<p>I am fairly certain that most of the people who will read this will be American or at the very least non-British and therefore it will be a completes mystery to them but I am British and the last thing I would do would be to complain.</p>
<p>Can't do it.</p>
<p>No matter how disappointing the restaurant meal, no matter how rude the shop assistant, no matter what nonsense the man on the phone throws at me as an excuse, I can't complain or if I do, I suffer.</p>
<p>A fortnight ago I mentioned, almost in passing, that something, perhaps, in my opinion, wasn't quite right; there was something like a disagreement. It has never been referred to but things are being done better now so I should be chalking one up to the good guy but instead I am racked with guilt. I didn't quite complain but I disagreed and they took it as a complaint and now . . . </p>
<p>I am stressed if I complain and stressed when I don't.</p>
<p>Pathetic.</p>
<p>So, anyway, imagine the levels of stress I reached today when I went to post some mail.</p>
<p>Last week I vowed not to go to that post office again. It had not been a happy experience. But today I only had one thing to post and it was not my usual time or day and I felt optimistic for a moment ...</p>
<p>I was particularly pleased with the envelope but it will never arrive. I left room for either a stamp or one of their beloved labels but, instead of using the space, the assistant slapped the label over the post code and my return address label, flung it quickly into the open post bag and stood looking at me with an expression that seemed to be daring me to say something; anything by way of a complaint.</p>
<p>I will not be going back there and haven't much of an idea where I can go to safely post things now.</p>
<p>I am certain that envelope is lost.</p>
<p>I feel just as lost.</p>
<p>But I still won't complain!</p>
<p>envelope with space for the label marked:</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3651534919?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3651534919?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>envelope with where the label went . . .</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3651535505?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3651535505?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>A Further Embarrassment . . .tag:iuoma-network.ning.com,2019-10-02:2496677:BlogPost:23513512019-10-02T17:53:12.000ZMary Annehttp://iuoma-network.ning.com/profile/MaryAnne
<p>A new British chum, Jennifer Wallace, sent a fold-out collage and a similar item arrived anonymously from Norway (according to the stamp). Hopefully fold-outs are going to be the new craze.…</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3641187905?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-full" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3641187905?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a> <a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3641190364?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-full" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3641190364?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a></p>
<p>A new British chum, Jennifer Wallace, sent a fold-out collage and a similar item arrived anonymously from Norway (according to the stamp). Hopefully fold-outs are going to be the new craze.</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3641187905?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3641187905?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3641190364?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3641190364?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3641194170?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3641194170?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>Jennifer's collage, something like a menu card arrived in an unusual envelope worth the showing, though I am not sure my scan does it justice:</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3641197044?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3641197044?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>Two things to finish off this selection: Samantha Price had a go at one of my speciality cut-letters envelopes and a mighty fine job too that inspired the American post office to add their three-ha'pence with a friendly slogan cancellation.</p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3641201619?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3641201619?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>Lastly, I show a painting by Cecil Touchon - a great treasure. He also sent a species of do-it-youself collages so there is hopefully more to come.</p>
<p>More to come from everyone!</p>
<p>Many thanks.</p>An Embarrassment of Richestag:iuoma-network.ning.com,2019-10-02:2496677:BlogPost:23512582019-10-02T17:40:28.000ZMary Annehttp://iuoma-network.ning.com/profile/MaryAnne
<p>Here we have a selection of wonders from the large accumulation of new arrivals that now litters my work space.</p>
<p>First, an envelope from Mr Felter brought many stamps, cards and what-knots including a beautifully printed stamp the size of a page that really deserves to be framed rather than buried amongst my artistamp collection. I show the envelope here as it also came with a goodly selection of Leonard Cohen stamps that go to prove, once again, that the established postal authorities…</p>
<p>Here we have a selection of wonders from the large accumulation of new arrivals that now litters my work space.</p>
<p>First, an envelope from Mr Felter brought many stamps, cards and what-knots including a beautifully printed stamp the size of a page that really deserves to be framed rather than buried amongst my artistamp collection. I show the envelope here as it also came with a goodly selection of Leonard Cohen stamps that go to prove, once again, that the established postal authorities are hell bent on producing theier own artistamps; I call them faux-artistamps.<a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3641169165?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3641169165?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a>It seems that Canada is one of the last authorities that can be relied upon to use proper cancellations.</p>
<p>I must follow this up with a sheet of stamps by Visual Mom Mehryl. She has sent so many interesting bits and bobs that it will take me more than a week to fully appreciate them but this sheet stood out as something that would look good on the screen:</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3641174758?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3641174758?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>Richard Cannard has sent one of his thought provoking cards and I received another card, unannounced but most appreciated, from RCBz - a tag with which I am unfamiliar:</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3641179362?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3641179362?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3641179729?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3641179729?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3641179896?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3641179896?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>Those industrious people at Circulaire 132 are on the move and they have sent me a new address along with the latest issue. Many excitements inside but here I choose to show the cover/envelope which is worth waiting for on its own account (Canada again providing sensible cancellations).</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>Eleventh Blog: an explanation (of sorts) for all this rubbish . . .tag:iuoma-network.ning.com,2019-09-25:2496677:BlogPost:23500692019-09-25T23:30:00.000ZMary Annehttp://iuoma-network.ning.com/profile/MaryAnne
<p>I didn't have much of an education.</p>
<p>Our family led something of a peripatetic lifestyle and I was in and out of this school and that; sometimes with long gaps between. My first employer insisted we all attended college - day release it was called - and there we had three compulsory subjects: English (taught of course by a Welshman), British Constitution and Social Economics. There was space on the timetable for one other subject and so, with some misgivings, we were all enrolled in…</p>
<p>I didn't have much of an education.</p>
<p>Our family led something of a peripatetic lifestyle and I was in and out of this school and that; sometimes with long gaps between. My first employer insisted we all attended college - day release it was called - and there we had three compulsory subjects: English (taught of course by a Welshman), British Constitution and Social Economics. There was space on the timetable for one other subject and so, with some misgivings, we were all enrolled in something called 'General Studies'. It was to be something of an awakening for me.</p>
<p>The class was taught by 'Contraceptive Evans'; a name we gave him, to distinguish him from the other 'English' Evans, based on the subject of his first presentation, which came as something of a shock to us sixteen year olds (this was still the sixties after all and mainstream education was a long way from leaving the fifties).</p>
<p>There were no exams involved, nothing to learn so to speak. We would just turn up and find ourselves watching a slide show of art or modern architecture, listening to recordings of plays or avant garde electronic music, sitting through lectures on the different types of insurance policies and their uses or once, watching a documentary on 'Skinheads; (an English invention that didn't get exported to the USA). The idea was to expose us to a wide variety of experience with little or no guidance as to what we were to make of it all, that was up to us, and it is an idea that has stayed with me all my life. If I discover something new or unusual or maybe simply interesting, I pass it on, laying it out at the feet of whatever poor soul happens along. Maybe it will mean something to them, maybe not.</p>
<p>Hence the raw material for my little blogs; I am just passing things along.</p>
<p>I'm still under doctors orders and my physical world has shrunk dramatically in the last couple of years.</p>
<p>I spend much of my time with a computer (which I dislike) on one side and a TV (which I positively hate) on the other. In between I am gradually turning a pile of old magazines into a mountain of collage, finishing off several projects that have been hanging in the air for far too long, and tapping away at my second book of short stories. The world is still very much with me in my imagination and I seem to be doing more and better work now than I have for several years past.</p>
<p>So while I am waiting for literary inspiration, or for another acre of paper to dry, I put things up on IUOMA that may interest or amuse (never bore, I hope?), on the off chance that someone else will discover something new, something useful or simply something to fill an empty moment.</p>
<p>All that is probably more of an excuse than an explanation but there we are; isn't that life?</p>
<p></p>Blog number ten: the work of idle hands . . .tag:iuoma-network.ning.com,2019-09-25:2496677:BlogPost:23497172019-09-25T05:02:03.000ZMary Annehttp://iuoma-network.ning.com/profile/MaryAnne
<p>So I am not a great one for creating on the computer but I've been waiting for collage to dry (again!) and, having nothing much better to do, found myself playing with ideas for the documentation for my 'Stamps for Yoko' project. I found an image of an old poster (thank you google images) for one of Yoko's exhibitions and, working under a sudden inspiration, I have altered it a little . . .</p>
<p>What to do with it now I wonder. The best I can think of is posting it here where it may…</p>
<p>So I am not a great one for creating on the computer but I've been waiting for collage to dry (again!) and, having nothing much better to do, found myself playing with ideas for the documentation for my 'Stamps for Yoko' project. I found an image of an old poster (thank you google images) for one of Yoko's exhibitions and, working under a sudden inspiration, I have altered it a little . . .</p>
<p>What to do with it now I wonder. The best I can think of is posting it here where it may amuse someone else who is killing time whilst the world dries . . .<a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3619881515?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3619881515?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>of some asemic interest maybe . . .tag:iuoma-network.ning.com,2019-09-23:2496677:BlogPost:23494632019-09-23T21:33:23.000ZMary Annehttp://iuoma-network.ning.com/profile/MaryAnne
<p>Last night I found myself watching a Sci-fi film on our (British) TV. </p>
<p>The film (2016) was named 'Arrival' and the story such as it was concerned the arrival of alien ships and an 'expert's' attempts at understanding their written and spoken language. It was quite a gentle film and I think maybe anyone on IUOMA interested in asemic writing would find it intriguing . . .</p>
<p>Last night I found myself watching a Sci-fi film on our (British) TV. </p>
<p>The film (2016) was named 'Arrival' and the story such as it was concerned the arrival of alien ships and an 'expert's' attempts at understanding their written and spoken language. It was quite a gentle film and I think maybe anyone on IUOMA interested in asemic writing would find it intriguing . . .</p>Number nine, number 9 number 9 . . .tag:iuoma-network.ning.com,2019-09-21:2496677:BlogPost:23487702019-09-21T09:12:59.000ZMary Annehttp://iuoma-network.ning.com/profile/MaryAnne
<p>The postie has just brought me the first half of the documentation I am doing for my on-going 'Stamps for Yoko' project (yes it has a fancy name now) and it is slowly turning into a thing of small and modest beauty; you could say, rather like the lady herself!</p>
<p>I can hardly wait to finish it off and send it all out but patience is a virtue (I am repeatedly told) and there is still space for a couple more designs to be included. Any takers?</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p>The postie has just brought me the first half of the documentation I am doing for my on-going 'Stamps for Yoko' project (yes it has a fancy name now) and it is slowly turning into a thing of small and modest beauty; you could say, rather like the lady herself!</p>
<p>I can hardly wait to finish it off and send it all out but patience is a virtue (I am repeatedly told) and there is still space for a couple more designs to be included. Any takers?</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>Blog number eight: Strike or nottag:iuoma-network.ning.com,2019-09-20:2496677:BlogPost:23483062019-09-20T06:51:35.000ZMary Annehttp://iuoma-network.ning.com/profile/MaryAnne
<p>I really ought to have put some thought into this posting but it is a spur of the moment thing and maybe it will be the better for it.</p>
<p>Hard to miss the Global (whatever that means) strike being called for today to draw attention to the vast problems facing the world's equilibrium. </p>
<p>I imagine that most people involved in the Eternal Network are to some extent sympathetic to the causes and have an awareness of the difficulties involved in 'climate change'. yet I can't help…</p>
<p>I really ought to have put some thought into this posting but it is a spur of the moment thing and maybe it will be the better for it.</p>
<p>Hard to miss the Global (whatever that means) strike being called for today to draw attention to the vast problems facing the world's equilibrium. </p>
<p>I imagine that most people involved in the Eternal Network are to some extent sympathetic to the causes and have an awareness of the difficulties involved in 'climate change'. yet I can't help thinking we may be part of the problem. We are a privileged few who can afford the time and money to indulge our passion and make use of the great machinery of 'the system' to send nonsense to each other across the world without any real great purpose. Should we not be more political? Use our envelopes to protest or educate rather than just amuse?</p>
<p>I do a lot of collage. I use old magazines and rubbish to make my 'pictures'; a fairly low 'carbon footprint' there</p>
<p>but then there is all the other stuff involved. The planes used for moving the end product are the obvious evil maybe but then there is the profits given to the postal authorities let alone the ones given to the computer companies that run everything from the printing of stamps to IUOMA itself. Sitting here in my room I cannot help but contribute to the problems no matter what I do and it is overwhelming. What to do and can it possibly make any difference?</p>
<p>Back in the seventies it was possible to buy paper labels that could be used to reseal used envelopes and cover up addresses so that they could be reused. 'Save Paper' was the mantra and I used them by the dozen but did it do any good I wonder?</p>
<p>In this time of lunatic leaders and the rise of popular ignorance and self interest it seems more and more important to keep open the lines of communication and maybe that is the best reason for our follies? Maybe we should be more visible with more public exhibitions; bang the drum and so on.</p>
<p>As I said, I am rambling without much thought about what I want to say or achieve - definitely part of the problem. Consider or discuss.</p>blog the seventh: air mailstag:iuoma-network.ning.com,2019-09-16:2496677:BlogPost:23471842019-09-16T00:10:55.000ZMary Annehttp://iuoma-network.ning.com/profile/MaryAnne
<p>I have a great liking for artistamps and keep any that come my way in a set of four albums. Luckily the standard size spring-back album, although a little old fashioned, is just the right size to accommodate full sheets, as well as pages of individual stamps, cards and envelopes, so the whole thing gets to look better and better with each passing month.</p>
<p>Amongst the pages is this one full, not of artistamps per say, but of imitation air mail labels. I wish I could find more as they…</p>
<p>I have a great liking for artistamps and keep any that come my way in a set of four albums. Luckily the standard size spring-back album, although a little old fashioned, is just the right size to accommodate full sheets, as well as pages of individual stamps, cards and envelopes, so the whole thing gets to look better and better with each passing month.</p>
<p>Amongst the pages is this one full, not of artistamps per say, but of imitation air mail labels. I wish I could find more as they make for an interesting contrast with the (usually) more flamboyant stamps. The few I have stumbled across are pictured here:<a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3558216684?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3558216684?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>Blog the sixth: A cascade from Cascadiatag:iuoma-network.ning.com,2019-09-14:2496677:BlogPost:23468952019-09-14T06:22:13.000ZMary Annehttp://iuoma-network.ning.com/profile/MaryAnne
<p>I have had a sudden windfall - an embarrassment of riches from the Postmaster General of Cascadia - enough to warrant a whole blog though I will only post a few images, partly because I am sure most of the stamps and cards will have already been noted and partly because I would rather be away from this infernal machine and busy on more mail.</p>
<p>First, I will post the envelopes because I think most stamp designers (or other mail artists too I dare say) have an interest in seeing how…</p>
<p>I have had a sudden windfall - an embarrassment of riches from the Postmaster General of Cascadia - enough to warrant a whole blog though I will only post a few images, partly because I am sure most of the stamps and cards will have already been noted and partly because I would rather be away from this infernal machine and busy on more mail.</p>
<p>First, I will post the envelopes because I think most stamp designers (or other mail artists too I dare say) have an interest in seeing how their creations look after the excitement of their papery adventure within the postal system:<a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3555574196?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3555574196?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3555574521?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a></p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3555574196?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a><br/><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3555574521?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3555574521?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3555574196?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3555574196?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener">This</a><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3555574196?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> </a><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3555574196?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener">last postcard, one of several, had more of an adventure than the others: A neat bit of philatelic origami I think . . .</a><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3555578209?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3555578209?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3555574196?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Amongst the contents of the envelopes were these neat Fluxus sheets. I am not a great one for archiving - almost everything finds its way back into the post eventually (except for my beloved artistamps) but I have a little suitcase - one of those metal jobs that blackmailers and other crooks use for their loot in countless TV films - which I have filled with various bits and bobs laughingly called my<em> Fluxkit. </em> That is where these sheets will end up and I am very glad of it because I haven't added much to the thing for a painfully long time.</a><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3555587686?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3555587686?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3555574196?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3555588483?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3555588483?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a>Also arriving was a heft wad of Moticos and I am now cash rich for once. here are three of the designs:<a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3555590341?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3555590341?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3555574196?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener">It is nice to have a memorial to some great conversationalists though I suspect I am expected to mistreat them in the manner of the famous Fluxus bucks (the moticos not the conversationalist!) in which case I had better get to work . . .<br/></a><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3555574521?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a></p>
<p>Many thanks Jack though I doubt my worthiness </p>Blog the fifth: part two.tag:iuoma-network.ning.com,2019-09-04:2496677:BlogPost:23432212019-09-04T12:10:42.000ZMary Annehttp://iuoma-network.ning.com/profile/MaryAnne
<p>stamps from Mark Valentine and Thom Courcelle.</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3521333008?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Bruce Grenville sent so many sheets, stamps, first day covers, announcements of issues and heaven knows what else that I don't realy know where to start. Mark Valentine sent an explanation in a booklet. I may soon need a bigger suitcase!…<img class="align-full" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3521333008?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a></p>
<p>stamps from Mark Valentine and Thom Courcelle.</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3521333008?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bruce Grenville sent so many sheets, stamps, first day covers, announcements of issues and heaven knows what else that I don't realy know where to start. Mark Valentine sent an explanation in a booklet. I may soon need a bigger suitcase!<img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3521333008?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3521334358?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3521334358?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>blog the fifth - Mary Anne's Curious Artistamps Projectiontag:iuoma-network.ning.com,2019-09-04:2496677:BlogPost:23432182019-09-04T12:04:03.000ZMary Annehttp://iuoma-network.ning.com/profile/MaryAnne
<p>Sorting through the pile of welcome mailart, I find several clusters of artistamps, and it occurs to me that this might be a good time to introduce my Artistamp Projection.</p>
<p>Some years ago, a chum gave me an old spring-back stamp album and I decided to use it for all the artistamps I had accumulated. the idea (I call it a projection because it is part art project and part stamp collection) now lives in a small suitcase and includes four albums, stockbooks, bundles of envelopes,…</p>
<p>Sorting through the pile of welcome mailart, I find several clusters of artistamps, and it occurs to me that this might be a good time to introduce my Artistamp Projection.</p>
<p>Some years ago, a chum gave me an old spring-back stamp album and I decided to use it for all the artistamps I had accumulated. the idea (I call it a projection because it is part art project and part stamp collection) now lives in a small suitcase and includes four albums, stockbooks, bundles of envelopes, packets of stamps to be sorted, boxes of stamp books and stuff, books, catalogues and posters . . . all of which has to be unpacked and repacked, every time it is viewed. Great fun! </p>
<p>I have a wide definition of what gets included because, after Guy Bleus designed his artistamp stamp for the Belgium Post, real stamps can be included albeit only very occasionally.</p>
<p>Here are my new additions: from Adam Roussopoulos, Alan Brignull, Bruce Grenville and Carl Baker. Such variety<a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3521312185?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3521312185?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3521314011?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3521314011?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3521315472?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3521315472?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3521318521?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3521318521?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a>; such delight! </p>Stamps for Yokotag:iuoma-network.ning.com,2019-09-04:2496677:BlogPost:23433122019-09-04T00:44:57.000ZMary Annehttp://iuoma-network.ning.com/profile/MaryAnne
<p>Several years ago I started a little project for no real reason except the fun of it, then I became ill and it got put by. Luckily it had not been very popular but I have felt guilty about not having finished things off and sent the promised documentation.</p>
<p>Well, being more or less back now I decided that my first job was to bring the project to some sort of end. this time round I have had more interest and it seems that, now I have the required ten stamps, I can get on with my part…</p>
<p>Several years ago I started a little project for no real reason except the fun of it, then I became ill and it got put by. Luckily it had not been very popular but I have felt guilty about not having finished things off and sent the promised documentation.</p>
<p>Well, being more or less back now I decided that my first job was to bring the project to some sort of end. this time round I have had more interest and it seems that, now I have the required ten stamps, I can get on with my part of the bargain. it won't be quite what I had had in mind but I hope it will not disappoint. It will at least be proper, solid, hold in your hand documentation and not some cloudy scatter of pixels as is usual these days.</p>
<p>Here are the new arrivals by Bruno Cassaglia, El Taller de Zenon, and Mzia Valerian. The Documentation should be done by next year (and hopefully worth the wait).</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3518218383?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3518218383?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3518221711?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3518221711?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3518221711?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3518228283?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>blog the fourth - mail arrivedtag:iuoma-network.ning.com,2019-09-03:2496677:BlogPost:23433522019-09-03T23:35:04.000ZMary Annehttp://iuoma-network.ning.com/profile/MaryAnne
<p>I'm certain that every one involved with this eternal network has their own way of doing things; that is one of the great joys of the thing. </p>
<p>I have been busy for the last month doing acres (so it seems) of collage and dozens of envelopes so incoming mail has been largely put by until a more auspicious time. Today was the day and I have just spent a delightful hour as a sort of island in a sea of post! Wonder after wonder; generosity piled upon generosity! </p>
<p>My September is…</p>
<p>I'm certain that every one involved with this eternal network has their own way of doing things; that is one of the great joys of the thing. </p>
<p>I have been busy for the last month doing acres (so it seems) of collage and dozens of envelopes so incoming mail has been largely put by until a more auspicious time. Today was the day and I have just spent a delightful hour as a sort of island in a sea of post! Wonder after wonder; generosity piled upon generosity! </p>
<p>My September is now spoken for as I will be busy catching up with all these new conversations - as well as a couple of old ones re-invigorated. The mail box will still be open though so don't forget me.</p>
<p>I will begin scanning things and posting here tonight but first I have two failures to report; two envelopes returned as 'undeliverable'. The one that really amused me was the one to Merhl Bennett marked 'insufficiently addressed'. It seems, upon a second look, that a couple of numbers from the code have fallen off. Despite the return address label the envelope has been opened, I suppose on the chance that there would have been a complete address inside. There wasn't and it seem something I could well do next time. In any case, I have another pointing finger for my collection - I do so love 'em. . . <a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3517896610?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3517896610?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3517898525?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3517898525?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>a brief but pointless rant against the systemtag:iuoma-network.ning.com,2019-08-29:2496677:BlogPost:23423672019-08-29T14:32:47.000ZMary Annehttp://iuoma-network.ning.com/profile/MaryAnne
<p>Just returned from this week's traumatic trip to the Post Office.</p>
<p>There seems to always be a tussle between me and some of the staff about stamps and such. As soon as the cost of postage reaches a certain level, they use a label instead of stamps. Even though the Royal Mail churns out dozens of expensive new stamps, month after month, the post offices never use them, so I have to watch as my poor attempts at a decorative envelope is thoroughly disfigured.</p>
<p>Some do try their best…</p>
<p>Just returned from this week's traumatic trip to the Post Office.</p>
<p>There seems to always be a tussle between me and some of the staff about stamps and such. As soon as the cost of postage reaches a certain level, they use a label instead of stamps. Even though the Royal Mail churns out dozens of expensive new stamps, month after month, the post offices never use them, so I have to watch as my poor attempts at a decorative envelope is thoroughly disfigured.</p>
<p>Some do try their best to fit the labels in whilst others don't bother, and I am a great believer in the idea that the randomness of the postal system is part of the creative process, but, even so, it is hard to watch. I can only apologise in advance to the unsuspecting people who will, in a few days time, receive less than perfect envelopes.</p>
<p>Come the revolution, and I am put in charge of the system, things will be very different I can tell you . . .</p>Blog the second: serendipity perhaps . . .tag:iuoma-network.ning.com,2019-08-23:2496677:BlogPost:23409592019-08-23T12:30:12.000ZMary Annehttp://iuoma-network.ning.com/profile/MaryAnne
<p>I've been working hard on a new collage. I covered a sheet of paper with random pieces of magazine, no real thought, just following the fancy. I had three copies of the same issue of a supermarket give-away and, for some reason that I will probably never fully understand, a picture of a humble bath-brush caught both my eye and imagination. I tore them out, halved each in a different way, then added them to the work in hand; and that was as far as it went. The muse left me and my creation…</p>
<p>I've been working hard on a new collage. I covered a sheet of paper with random pieces of magazine, no real thought, just following the fancy. I had three copies of the same issue of a supermarket give-away and, for some reason that I will probably never fully understand, a picture of a humble bath-brush caught both my eye and imagination. I tore them out, halved each in a different way, then added them to the work in hand; and that was as far as it went. The muse left me and my creation seemed as flat as Google earth.</p>
<p>Then today I noticed, amongst the debris of another job, three words: change, choice and destiny. The light of inspiration flashed, the heart missed a second beat; I reached for the old, dead piece of 'nearly art' and added the new finds, labelling each brush with its hidden meaning. Success!</p>
<p>This afternoon I will complete the second 'Grand Act of Creation'. The walk to the post office, the perplexed look on the clerk's face, the randomly placed stamp and then the void; the journey begun.</p>
<p>This for me is what mail art is all about. </p>
<p>In a fortnight's time, a month's, or maybe a year or so, I might get a response. It will probably be a total non-sequitur or merely a mystified silence, but there is always the chance of something unimaginable arriving that brings with it enlightenment or inspiration or perhaps even delight.</p>
<p>Once, when I had only recently dipped my toe into the ocean that was 'The Eternal Network' I answered a call for a project somewhere in Europe. I sent something or other and, a few weeks later received a reply. The artist I had sent to had scribbled all over my poor little offering, had torn it to pieces, reassembled it and stuck his own work over the result. I was a little put out but sent him something else anyway (though nothing precious). Again a received my work back severely maltreated and all but destroyed. I'll 'ave 'im, I thought. I tore up what he had sent and mangled it, rubber stamped all over the pieces and stuck it all back together with extras. That'll serve 'im right!</p>
<p>I had never had such a swift response! </p>
<p>Without realising it I had joined in the conversation, started a dialogue, engaged with the process of creation. I had been pushed out of my comfort zone and had started to do undreamt feats of creation. It turned out to be one of the most rewarding experiences of my 'career' and lasted for several years.</p>
<p>The rule book of mail art has many pages but they are all blank except for one. That page shows a detailed map of the world with instructions for getting to your nearest post office.</p>
<p>It is the only rule worth not breaking.</p>Zalop!tag:iuoma-network.ning.com,2019-08-10:2496677:BlogPost:23379912019-08-10T10:00:00.000ZMary Annehttp://iuoma-network.ning.com/profile/MaryAnne
<p>Does anyone else remember Rudd's search for new Fluxus words or the great Zalop! project?</p>
<p>I came across this advert. today and it reminded me . . .</p>
<p><a href="https://youtu.be/kC03xAtk1DA">https://youtu.be/kC03xAtk1DA</a></p>
<p>Does anyone else remember Rudd's search for new Fluxus words or the great Zalop! project?</p>
<p>I came across this advert. today and it reminded me . . .</p>
<p><a href="https://youtu.be/kC03xAtk1DA">https://youtu.be/kC03xAtk1DA</a></p>https://youtu.be/RHBw6VwY3Iotag:iuoma-network.ning.com,2019-07-15:2496677:BlogPost:23329302019-07-15T13:41:09.000ZMary Annehttp://iuoma-network.ning.com/profile/MaryAnne
<p><a href="https://youtu.be/RHBw6VwY3Io">https://youtu.be/RHBw6VwY3Io</a></p>
<p><a href="https://youtu.be/RHBw6VwY3Io">https://youtu.be/RHBw6VwY3Io</a></p>blog the firsttag:iuoma-network.ning.com,2019-07-15:2496677:BlogPost:23331792019-07-15T13:40:05.000ZMary Annehttp://iuoma-network.ning.com/profile/MaryAnne
<p>Tarraa ta ta tarraaah! here goes nothing though I should say at first that I am not much in love with computers and only take to them as a last resort. To me they are like saws or alarm clocks; merely a convenient tool. Not that cutting something in half - or being on time - is without its pleasures but a blunt tooth or missed appointment will hardly ruin a life.</p>
<p>It has been a sunny morning and I have been multi-tasking (again) which is to say that I have been waiting for the…</p>
<p>Tarraa ta ta tarraaah! here goes nothing though I should say at first that I am not much in love with computers and only take to them as a last resort. To me they are like saws or alarm clocks; merely a convenient tool. Not that cutting something in half - or being on time - is without its pleasures but a blunt tooth or missed appointment will hardly ruin a life.</p>
<p>It has been a sunny morning and I have been multi-tasking (again) which is to say that I have been waiting for the postie to arrive and the latest piece of collage to dry whilst at the same time watching a film.</p>
<p>I was expecting my latest postcards to arrive from the printers but the mail man came and went without even a glance at my door.</p>
<p>The collage has dried and I can move on to the next part of the proceedings. I am trying to clear the mess in my (what I laughingly call) my studio. Having been unwell for some time things have gotten out of hand and I have several years of debris to clear away. I made the decision not to bin everything but transpose it all into 'art' hence acres of collage. I have been busy on several little books the latest being to do with my illness. The hospitals here like to keep their victims, sorry, patients, informed and so produce booklets on every possible ailment and procedure. Of course I have kept them all along with assorted letters, appointment cards, instructions, disclaimers, etc. etc and now I'm piling them all together into a nice little book or three. It is a new style for me as usually my material is chosen at random, spur of the moment stuff, speaking to the inner child and all that. This time I have a subject and a mountain of particular things to use.</p>
<p>The film was anew discovery and a great wonder that brought with it something of a disappointment.</p>
<p>It is a film about dada - German dada to be exact. It was made in 1967 or 8 or 9 (depending on what you read)</p>
<p>by <span class="prettify"><a href="https://letterboxd.com/director/helmut-herbst/">Helmut Herbst</a> and to my mind it is the best film of its kind I have seen. It should be taught in every school and copies given away free to every member of IUOMA. If I can manage the complexity of it I will put a link to it on here somewhere. The title is Germany - dada. </span></p>
<p><span class="prettify">As for the disappointment well, one of my favorite films is The Falls by Peter Greenaway. A remarkable piece of inventive film making which, I now find, owes a deal of its structure to someone else. So nothing is entirely original - I should no that. I did know it but I keep forgetting.</span></p>
<p><span class="prettify">So now my collage is waiting, the glue brush set like a palette knife once again. I have lots of envelopes waiting to be posted but the funds are slow coming, as are the postcards I was planning on sending at the same time.</span></p>
<p><span class="prettify">Maybe tomorrow. </span></p>