INVESTIGATIVE MAIL-ART: Deep Inside the DKULT with KDJ & Diane Keys (Orlando, Florida, USA)

[De Villo Sloan]

Cover: July 2011 issue of the DKULTNY (DKULT-New York) fanzine

 

November 25, 2011 - Posing as an adoring fan injured in the infamous D-Koder Ring Scandal, I infiltrated the D-KULT (a mail-art movement based on the enigmatic and charismatic mail-artist Diane Keys (Illinois, USA), following a slippery chain of command to its highest levels. My findings are deeply disturbing.

 

Once headquartered in Elgin, Illinois, DKULT "problems cases" are now routed to an address in Orlando, Florida (USA). This is managed under the iron hand of DK's current "Lieutenant": KDJ (aka DKDJ). DK now barely communicates with the growing throng of her international fans. Instead, insiders say her time is devoted to courting corporate sponsorship of her increasingly extravagant performance pieces. A shadowy character known as "Heath" has risen to a high position in the organization.

 

Most of the trash that drives her thriving industry, that she previously collected herself in the streets of Elgin, is now imported from the U.S. State of Maine where a regional DKULT operation has sprung up under the leadership of Nancy Bell Scott, known to have ties to the controversial and alleged cultist Trungpa Rinpoche. DK's trash cartel can be traced further to Hamburg, Germany, and probably beyond. An unidentified DKULT watcher claims a major partnership is in the works with Grigori Antonin of Minnesota.

 

In response to my request for a new D-Koder ring I received a baffling document, prefaced by this letter and followed with page upon page of forms to complete:

 

Now the second page:

 

 

I regret I cannot reproduce the voluminous reports I am requested to complete. Clearly, the average mail-artist is powerless against the D-KULT. Here is an example of some of the contents:

 

Exhibit H is alleged to be a psychological test designed by Grigori Antonin (Minnesota, USA).

I cannot imagine what Exhibit C has to do with a defective D-Koder Ring. The slick marketing that helped the D-KULT's rise to the top is still being used to its advantage. The bad news came to me in this wonderful envelope:

 

 

D-KULT marketing and recruitment is clearly as slick as ever. Has a once benevolent mail-art movement evolved in a dangerous kult of personality? I will leave that for readers to decide.

 

Mail-artists are encouraged to monitor the official Diane Keys blog and report any strange or unusual activities:

http://dianekeys.blogspot.com/

 

MAIL-ART PSYCHIC

 

Mink schnitzel

 

Don't take it out of the bag, Louise. It's not normal.

 

The proper remedy is catwalk maroon. waffles or waffling

 

Snooker's Mink Ranch.

 

Bifidus has found the key to the 13th dimension. The signs were always there.

 

37

 

You don't look that good in red anyway. Sleeve it alone.

 

Coffee cups & doughnut holes.

 

He asked for a white handkerchief & an orange. Max knew him in Queens. It was the noise of the chainsaw that bothered me the most. No, the other Max.

 

Harvey Brown. Yet another genius from Cleveland.

 

Ray says the Glimmer Twins are back.

[De Villo Sloan]

And there was that incident at Wal Mart where someone was sprayed with Mace. Gives a whole new meaning to Macy's/

[De Villo Sloan]

You know the first edition was supposed to be posted on amazon but never happened. You probably also know it has to be translated from Spanish from really terrible originals. Chapter 9 - "How I Invented Chunk-O-Skunk & DK Stole it from me" - has been around for a while. Probably you'll first see that one.

[DKeys]

Do I get an advance copy at least? I think I'll see if I can pre-order at Amazon. God knows they have everything else EXCEPT live tapeworms

[De Villo Sloan]

According to DKult insiders, the legendary red roaDKill lives tattoo - upon which the stamp is based - was inscribed by Mick Ronson (a member of the back-up band) on DK's arm late one night during the 2007 roaDKill Tour. The tour bus kept going over potholes & it was dark. Indeed, that tattoo did have a typo as a result and reads: roDKill. This & other interesting facts can be found in a new edition of "Splattered: My Life on the Road with DK." Chapters are being brought into the US from Mexico & will soon be widely available.

[Nancy Bell Scott]

Erni, would the karmapa have traveled around the U.S. in the mid-1980s?

[DKeys]

DVS, I just noticed the the tattoo is mispelled. Nice touch:)

[Nancy Bell Scott]

You're right, it is relevant to us all even if some people don't know it. You might want to publish a list of all your clubs, DVS, for everyone's edification.

Erni, that guy IS Sting. Don't fight it. It could be worse.

[DKeys]

Yes, the 99 percent took a break to occupy Walmart and Walmartaggedon got Uuuuuuggggglyyy

[De Villo Sloan]

d-klare war on greed. They can't complain about Occupy Wall Street when the same thing happens at Wal-Mart over pre-landfill products. Only no tear gas.

 

greed is the seed of the deed

 

Black Sunday Sale!

Order your DK memorabilia now.

Back issues of DKult fanzine still available:

 

D-Kollectibles

PO Box 1314

Auburn, NY 13021 USA

[DKeys]

Erni, your journal project is really fascinating. The art journal format really makes sense for the kind of art you do, as you are always telling a story in my opinion. Ole does look like Sting and David Letterman too.