Accordion Book by Mars Tokyo (Baltimore, Maryland, USA)

[De Villo Sloan]

Mail art by IUOMA member Mars Tokyo (Baltimore, Maryland, USA)

October 15, 2015 - Actually I am not sure whether to call this an accordion book, folio, pop-up or to continue to search for a better term. Maybe you can help, but the name is largely immaterial. I am simply thrilled to be able to share images of this marvelous mail art Mars Tokyo sent. I believe she is at the top of her game here as both an artist and mail artist. The closed piece (above) is small, approximately 4 X 4 inches. Here is what happens when it opens:

We have three panels, and the center unfolds to reveal a series of incredible faces that reference the genre of stamp art. (Click to enlarge.)

The mail art includes a total of 11 face images by Mars Tokyo.

And a full view of the reverse:

The envelope:

To learn more about Mars Tokyo, visit her website:

http://marstokyo.com/

Here is an interesting Mars Tokyo interview:

http://www.escapeintolife.com/interviews/a-conversation-with-mars-t...

[De Villo Sloan]

Hi Richard, I think we have a consensus Mars Tokyo is a very fine artist and in the conventional sense. She is not, for instance, making Trashpo with cereal box shreds (although I am not suggesting that is in any way a lesser kind of brilliance). The book is stunning. The response has been especially positive.

From what I gather, the faces are her drawings, not appropriated material. They are copied for the small format of the book, but this is all material she produced from nada. Sometimes it seems like everything is appropriated. It's nice to see another orientation.

[Richard Canard]

15.10.15 Dare DeVillo S., ...What an exciting artist!!!! Since Riley, Richard C.