The Strange Case of Nadja 7, Alesandra Crowley & the Meeah Williams Look-Alikes

[De Villo Sloan]

Mail-art by Alesandra Crowley (Berkeley, California, USA) and/or IUOMA member Meeah Williams (Brooklyn, New York, USA)

December 9, 2014 - Last week Borderline Grafix (Austin, Texas, USA) posted online documentation of mail-art he received from an unknown artist supposedly in Westport, Massachusetts, USA. He attributed the work to CZ Lovecraft because Lovecraft’s Westport address appears on the front of the envelope even though the name Nadja Seven accompanies the address and not Lovecraft’s. (Nadja Seven is possibly a reference to an anime character.)

http://iuoma-network.ning.com/profiles/blogs/cz-lovecraft-your-post...

Richard Canard (Carbondale, Illinois, USA) observed the actual work sent Borderline Grafix resembled the distinctive style of Meeah Williams in Brooklyn. The likeness was uncanny to the point where it had to be considered a brilliant forgery or an original. Thus the buzz began. Why would Meeah Williams claim to be Nadja Seven and use CZ Lovecraft’s address in Massachusetts? Questions were posted. No answers were forthcoming from those in a position to explain the odd affair. Only silence.

Now, lightening has struck again. I received an envelope containing this spectacular asemic work that reminds me of a tapestry. The work, approximately 8 X 10 inches, is one of the finest original asemic works I have ever received. Here are some detail shots:

And another:

I doubt that anyone familiar with Meeah Williams’ work would deny she created this extraordinary piece. If anyone does object or has insights, please leave a comment! The envelope is equally spectacular and also includes the perplexing information that this was sent by an Alesandra Crowley (any relation to Aleister Crowley?) in Berkeley:

And the reverse:

I am thrilled to document asemics of this caliber but unsure how to thank the creator. Alesandra Crowley and her Berkeley address both appear to be complete fictions. Nadja Seven is a similar dead end; she might or might not have something to do with CZ Lovecraft, who is a real person.

Is this a conspiracy? I wonder if I am part of some cleverly orchestrated mail-art event, the purpose of which is beyond me now but will be made clear eventually by the mastermind(s) behind it. Until then, I am only a hapless pawn. Will similar mailings be received (or have they already been received?) by unsuspecting others? Or is this the end? Another cold case in the bulging mail-art X Files?

An incredible trashbook was also included in this mailing also revealing Meeah Williams’ distinctive style:

I could speculate concerning cryptic messages, but it is simply all too vague.

Many layers of wonderful Trashpo are included.

Some especially cryptic messages on this page (above).

I am thrilled to be able to exhibit this FAB work but wearily resigned to the fact that the hard cases all seem to arrive on the MinXus-Lynxus (and my) doorstep . I hope that someday, all will be explained.

[De Villo Sloan]

Thanks Moan, and great to hear from you. You've been quiet lately. I hope all is well and stowing the m-a in the garage is not a bad sign.

Well, there you have it. She is definitely circulating these things involving more people. I'll listen to Richard and not be a dog chasing it's tail, but something is up with this: Borderline Grafix, CZ Lovecraft, Moan Lisa, Jon Foster, me..... I think Susan McAllister might have received one too.

[De Villo Sloan]

I agree, Richard. I do like the asemic piece very much. If anyone else received one of these with a strange address or name, I would be interested to know in case there is some kind of pattern. But I am going to stop with the conjecture.

[Richard Canard]

09.12.14 Dare Mister De Villo S., .....Although I usually contemplate your each & every word, I wouldn't worry my pretty little head (yours actually--I do admire your thoughts)  too much longer about "the unfathomable" Ms. Williams.  I've finally come to the realization that all I can really do here is  be appreciate & wonder in awe. Meeah Williams is a tsunami of manna from mail art heaven.     ...Richard