Erni Bar feeds art to the world

[Nancy Bell Scott]

Erni sent me a couple of things over the last three months:

In his urban explorations, he picks up things he knows I'll love and sends them. These include numerous beautiful squashed cans from the street, a few of which are shown above, most especially the exquisitely rusted one which has "RUST NEVER SLEEPS"  on the lid--the lid still attached and not imploded! Amazing. Some cans arrived with a box of bon-bons (not shown, as they are spread around the house). The rusty barbecue grill part arrived just today, and is even better than I imagined. Next to it is a pint of sandy stuff for the floors of bird cages (I think). It's a little bit glittery and has an interesting texture, and should be appearing in mail art from Maine any time. A couple of close-ups of the rusty favorites: 

The Do It Yourself Gingerbread House box in the back was an incredible gift--don't think Erni found it in the street! It was a major delight to unwrap the package and find this special and FUN thing to do. Well, that box had a rough trip through the postal system and most house parts inside were crumbled. The biggest piece I saved for posterity, plus some little people made it through just fine. It was a beautiful thought, but this was its destiny, and that's all well and good but I do think Erni had a bit of clairvoyance when he wrote "Shit Happens" on the box:

The little book in the first photo is great--"Everyday Dada" by Sian Bonnell. One of many great pages has a ham slice, smaller salami slice, and small cucumber slice neatly piled and ready to be stapled. Yes, with the office supply.

The Hamburg tote bag will be used now that it's been photographed. I love the thing and am happy to advertise my love-affair-from-a-distance with the city of Hamburg and its objects waiting to be found. Next are three photos of some Erni packaging around my studio--well one photo here and two in a comment.

Erni, a thousand thank yous for your thoughtfulness and generosity. 

[Nancy Bell Scott]

Oh ok, let's see--I could pay you for a while in small bucks from Burma. They're very pretty.

[Nancy Bell Scott]

Correct. Such complete records! You're hired.

[Nancy Bell Scott]

Good colors on those, too, Erni! You know, while going through packagings, I discovered two squashed cans in the outside wrapping of the gingerbread house box--three months later! Another surprise.

Here is a photo from a few weeks ago that shows several of the cans more clearly: 

[Nancy Bell Scott]

Erni, as you'll see repeated back to you in one of two packets I sent you today, "Garbage ain't garbage is my philosophy" (Erni Bar Fan Club, said by Erni). Yes, let's meditate on rust, I'm with ya!

[Nancy Bell Scott]

More packaging, and the first shows part of a wrapping from The David Stafford--another mail art highlight person in my world.