I receive a Bad Romance Award from the Museum of Bad Mail-Art (MOBMA) in the form of Altered Crumpled Trash by Rebecca Guyver (Suffolk, UK)

[De Villo Sloan]

Front cover (canvas) of trashbook by IUOMA member Rebecca Guyver (Suffolk, UK)

October 12, 2014 - During my hiatus from the aether in September, Rebecca Guyver was kind enough to present me via snail mail with a Bad Romance Award from the Museum of Bad Mail-Art (MOBMA). The MOBMA is another venture established by Queen of Trash Diane Keys (Elgin, Illinois, USA) and has headquarters at the IUOMA.

I am a little fuzzy on the facts, but I think I recall that Bad Romance was a MOBMA mail-art call or contest. At some point, I was vocal about MinXus-Lynxus and the Mink Ranch being synonymous with bad romance. Rebecca agreed and gave us the award, although I made no submissions, which is the kind of conceptual art I like:

I am thrill with the award and certain I earned it; however, I am giving it so much space because I believe the accompanying trashbook is a masterpiece. With covers, Rebecca's trashbook has a total of 20 pages, and I provide liberal excerpts in this humble blog. The book’s dimension’s are approximately 2 x 3 inches.

I believe Rebecca Guyver has created some phenomenal effects in this book, including often muted colors and weathered textures using, essentially, pop-art content. Overall, a consistent distortion is achieved.

And a close-up:

Rebecca Guyver has invented various “secret sauces” for processing trash and creating Trashpo effects; she has been honored with the TrashPo Litzer Prize for these innovations. “Altered Crumpled Trash” is yet another breakthrough.

On the right (above) is the inside, canvas back cover. Then the amazing back cover:

And the envelope:

I am thrilled about the award, especially because it inspired this wonderful trashbook. Deepest thanks, as ever, to Rebecca Guyver.

[De Villo Sloan]

I am Bad Romance. The others - amateurs. I don't think you have heard the last of Bad Romance either.

[Rebecca Guyver]

Good detective work, DVS.

[De Villo Sloan]

Rebecca, as a former journalist, I recognize you as someone who has skill with the press: You don't answer the ----g question but manage to angle your response around to plug your own agenda, which apparently is the next MOBMA competition mostly. That's about work done in bars or after they close? (pardon me)

I found what I was looking for in the MOBMA thread. You wrote:

"NO decision is possible in terms of bad romance! I am sending out four prizes, in process of being made, in which recipients will be invited to record their good romance. These are going out to: DK, Vizma and Carina for their amazing entries! I am also sending one to DVS (for enthusiasm about the topic). I nominate Carina for next judge! 

So Bad Romance Award winners are:

Diane Keys

Vizma Bruns

Carina Granlund

Moi - (I'm not seeing any protests)

[Rebecca Guyver]

DVS, I made four of these books and sent them to the first, second and third place winners, in no particular order, because there was no particular order.  Carina is the judge for the next competition - MOBMA is about competition. Paradoxically I can't choose. You were the number 4, but I see you received number 3.  You just had to win this one too, even if you didn't enter. I have no idea how the other members feel about this executive decision.  I did not clear it with our leader. (Oops). 

[De Villo Sloan]

Dan - thanks! & congrats on the exhibition.

Rebecca - you've revolutionized Trashpo w/ all these processes. The reaction is so positive, I expect there is yet another TrashPo Litzer in your future.

Now, I haven't dug into the old threads, but were there other Bad Romance Awards? Carina Granlund was involved in this as well.

[Rebecca Guyver]

Gee shucks.  I'm just relieved a few of you like it and it's not some self-indulgent  thing that just pleased me!

Seriously enthusiastic blog, DVS.  Thank you. 

BG I am  sort of in a transparent, translucent, pastel cul-de-sac, but It's fun.  

And I love the idea of 'secret sauce'.   I just think like a kid and do counter-intuitive things with materials.  I had a serious artist friend over and taught her how to make altered crumpled trash and my version of fused plastic and she was keen, but maybe a little horrified at my simple system!

[Dan Mouer]

Fabulous!

[De Villo Sloan]

Great observation, BG. I'm glad you can see that from the scans. The award is funny and all, but my real purpose for doing the blog was to show Rebecca's book, which definitely is remarkable. I don't know how she got those effects. Her choice of images is smart too.

Thanks for the comment.

[borderlinegrafix]

It is interesting to 'see' the trashy people inside/behind the crumpled/altered pages, as if we are a voyeur into private bad love dramas.  Bravo, Rebecca!