Naked Soles: An Artist's Book by Gerda Osteneck (Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada)

[De Villo Sloan]

Mail art by IUOMA member Gerda Osteneck (Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada)

 

October 9, 2019 - Somewhere along the dusty and circuitous trail a rumor spread in the Eternal Network (I believe mostly thanks to Marie Wintzer) that I had a peculiar interest in obtaining the inked or painted footprints of women via the postal system.

For a time, I received foot art from women (and a few men). But the truth is I have little interest in women’s feet; the whole thing was a joke at my expense. This sordid affair did generate some interesting art, which is documented elsewhere. I believe there is an IUOMA-Ning group devoted to foot art that was founded at the height of this minor mania. But little has happened in this area of late and foot fetish art – thankfully – has faded.

Imagine my surprise, then, at receiving this wonderful artist’s book of footprints from the great Canadian artist Gerda Osteneck. I have no idea if Gerda knows my history with foot art. I tend to doubt it, but I was compelled to confess my history with the painted heel and the inked toe. This context could possibly disrupt my usual objectivity. Regardless, Gerda Osteneck has created a wonderful artist’s book that I am thrilled to archive and document.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Precious-approved

 

[Bradford]

Well aren't you a prints?

[De Villo Sloan]

this blog is getting stale. it's been fun but let's let it settle in the iuoma cellar with all the other memories. k

[Nancy Bell Scott]

Gerda's book is wonderful, and beautiful. Great blog, DVS. I mean, where else to see such an array of m-a body parts in one place. Hilarious. In my DK collection is a piece of her shroud's pocket, a wish you granted because of my love for pockets as well as DK. I also covet the ruler you use in blogs.

[De Villo Sloan]

And I can't conclude a mail art body art discussion with out showing two prize pieces. (1) Diane Keys' footprint! I have two and I covet them.

(2) I also have a substantial piece of the famed Elgin Shroud, which was a blouse (?) worn by DK and smuggled from her home in Elgin, Illinois, USA by the infamous Mr. Stubbs and his camerado Uncle Ramone.

The authenticity of the Elgin Shroud shred has been questioned - I must disclose.  But a thorough chemical analysis of substances on the shroud makes me confident that I possess the largest, genuine fragment of the Elgin Shroud in the world.

During the height of Trashpo and DKult I was persuaded, as you can see from the cuts, to sell or trade small pieces of the shroud.

(FYI -I have suspended my sale and trade of DK memorabilia at this time)

[De Villo Sloan]

Thank you, Carmela. Monsieur En Feeble is actually - imho - a good mail artist. Personally, I did not appreciate the penis although I get the avant shock trope etc.

I understand he is no longer an IUOMA-Ning member, but I believe he still sends out mail art. He is a professional puppeteer, I think/ 

[Carmela Rizzuto]

What an unique assortment of body art. Thanks for sharing some from your collection. But I must admit that I like Gerda's artistic expression and variety of footprints the best. I remember the penis prints--they went faster than hotcakes at the time. FYI: Kikki Smith has a wonderful series of scanned body artworks. Example--https://beyondlikeness.omeka.net/exhibits/show/beyond-likeness/cata...

[Richard Canard]

... 6 of l5 ??? ...must be the disciplined rules of fine printmaking...& of course, history has a way of repeating itself.  

[Jayne Barket Lyons]

Ha! Boy, you really do have an archive of wacky mail, DVS! I noticed the penis Image you received is 6 of 15 made - which means he had to ink that baby up a number of times. I’m not a prude, but I agree - it’s kinda gross.Yet, it certainly is one for the history books.

[De Villo Sloan]

And now I will make a confession. You have no idea - you cannot fathom - the strange s---t I have received in the mail over many years. None of it bothered me (except some of the old Neoist stuff was so bizarre I got a little nervous). But this inked penis impression from that guy - Monsieur En Feeble from Portugal (or whatever) - does annoy me.

I think part of the problem is that it turns up on Google searches under my name. So it looks like I'm mailing stamped impressions of my penis to people, which I wouldn't do. Anyway, I think this was a fairly rude thing to do. I don't care really. But I admit - maybe I'm getting old - it's kinda gross.

[De Villo Sloan]

Your hand collection is great, Patricia. I have all sorts of similar trophies I like to exhibit from time to time. Here are Marie Wintzer's toes & hair! (A lot of hair for my Who Has the Best Hair Contest): Marie sent Grigori Antonin one of her teeth!