Bertha Greschak

[Hgfh]

So this morning I recieved an envelope from Bertha containing two google search image result print outs. One of Elvis images and one of 50's housewives.

I'm really confused. I can't find her on here but when I search her name she comes up as having sent mail art to others too. However is a print out mail art?

I'm new to all this so would appreciate help & advice as I can't find a way to contact her and don't want to ignore that she made the effort to send something.

Thank you :)

[Hgfh]

Heleen - I will look at her website, thank you for sharing the link and yes I definitely think it is interesting to see how everyone interprets things.

Tammy - I completely understand that point of view and would tend to agree simply as I would rather spend my time on making art for people who have made the same effort as I have, even if a completely different concept (which is fantastic) but it's that personal touch...the glimpse of who they are, that intrigues me.

De Villo - it is certainly a subject I have a lot to learn about and I like the fact the rules are so open as it saves worrying that my style is not the "in style" or the expected style. I'm still tryin to find my style myself so currently I just go with whatever springs to mind as I work.

You guys are brilliant. thank you so much for all the great comments x

[FinnBadger]

Perhaps the part of Bertha's mailings to me and a few others, that is unconventional is the lack of any greeting, or introduction of any kind. My card has a rubber stamped basket on and a return address. So it certainly invites a response (unless this is just to ensure the card's return should it prove undeliverable). 

Usually someone interested in trading/swapping postcards says something like 'Interested in trading postcards?'. This seems different, somehow, although without confirmation form Bertha we will remain in the dark.

Perhaps the aim is to promote such a discussion as this?

[De Villo Sloan]

I think another source of confusion sometimes is the definition of mail art itself.

There are lots of sites people can use to get involved with trading postcards, correspondence, etc. That's all good, as far as I am concerned.

The IUOMA tends to be centered around the international network created by Ray Johnson, at least that's my experience. So you have a lot of people familiar w/that to varying degrees doing add & pass, conceptual art, found art, etc.

I don't see anyone is ever excluded and there certainly are a lot of people doing more conventional things, outsider art, etc. But you'll definitely find a lot of people connected to the Eternal Network (mail art network) that has evolved its own culture over many years. It can be a little disorienting at times.

But I need to stress it's been my experience that all points of view and practices are welcome.

[Heleen de Vaan]

I think she is a conceptual artist. It seems very interesting to know how other mail artists react. I wouldn't dare to send common postcards as mail art, but now that I see (and are involved into) this discussion, I think it must be very interesting, also for the sender to get to know what the receiver's reply will be. Don't you think so?

I didn't know her so far, but I found her website, and she has sent several interesting altered (some old/antique looking) postcards in the past to mail artists. And at least one of the receivers I know as a conceptual, very authentic and creative mail artist. See:

http://www.greschak.com/bertha/

Looking forward to knowing what mail art exchanges will follow!

[Hgfh]

Thanks Tammy - have you replied to her previously?

[Hgfh]

Thank you so much for your very helpful input and advice De Villo Sloan and Heleen de Vaan

As a newcomer to mail art you have really helped me understand the concept more.

On this occasion I will be sending her her mail back with my own twist on it and see what happens. In saying that I much prefer to see something more personal arrive. It gives such a great feel of the artist looking at the mediums and style used.

Can't wait to see what pops through my letterbox next ;)

[Heleen de Vaan]

As already said, one of the rules within mail art is that there are no rules :-) 

If the sender considers it art, it is art. Although I must say that concerning printed existing (not selfmade) pictures and regular postcards also I would be in doubt whether it is mail art or not. And if there isn't any sign of a personal touch I tend to consider it mail instead. Or maybe - when considering it suddenly causes a burst of creativity - an add-and-pass or so.

To be short, as there are no real rules in mail art my advice would be to look at it, and do with it what you think and/or feel is good to do.

[De Villo Sloan]

Mail art is very collaborative, and there seems to be more different kinds of collaboration going on than ever before. It's confusing when you receive collage scraps or an unfinished drawing, but chances are it's a collab.

It's become customary for Trashpo mailings to include loose collage material. 

[FinnBadger]

I'll let you know what I end up doing.

[Hgfh]

Thank you Finnbadger - I think I just needed some clarity as to how others would see it and have decided to look on it as a collaboration. So I have ripped both images up and rearranged them on a piece of watercolour paper and will send back to her to see what comes next :) I've never done a collab before, so it's quite exciting. Would love to know what you decide to do!