RECEIVED: Big Bro Mail-Art from Asemics 16 Contributor Roberto (Humacao, Puerto Rico)

Mail-art by IUOMA member Roberto (Humacao, Puerto Rico)

 

June 30, 2011 - I have followed Roberto's art posted in the IUOMA gallery with great interest. So I was very happy when he signed on to contribute his work to the Asemics 16 collaborative mail-art book project Cheryl Penn (South Africa) and I are coordinating through the IUOMA Asemic Writing for Mail-Artists group.

 

http://iuoma-network.ning.com/group/asemicwritingformailartists

 

Roberto makes colorful and spirited art with great skill. I was curious to see what he would do with asemic writing. I think the result is spectacular, as you can see in the postcard-size piece above.

 

Because I am reviewing so much asemic writing these days, I cannot help but categorize and see Roberto's work drawing from the intensity and freedom of street art. This kind of fluid and spontaneous work - very expressive - is not, of course, always derived from spray paint and chalk scrawls. Cheryl Penn seems to be moving in that direction more and more, but her influences are derived from other sources.

 

I believe Asemic Writing for Mail-Artists, after many discussions, reached a consensus that asemic writing can appear in any format an artist chooses - not as simple a conclusion as one might at first think. The submissions to the books reveal an astonishing array of contexts.

 

Roberto uses a vibrant yet gritty ripped collage technique to reference Big Brother from Orwell's 1984. It definitely works for me and, yes, to reference other discussions, there is a crossover to visual poetry used to express his message.

 

Roberto gives us a readymade narrative through the literary reference. My reaction is that the asemic symbols reflect the violence and repression of the totalitarian state and make it contemporary and terrifying. The year 1984 is long gone, but the possibility of Orwell's dystopia is more real than ever. His asemic writing also distills something I can only locate as anger into a primal force that can be used to achieve oppression or liberation - a condition of humanity. It is always with us, and we must choose how to use it. 

 

The reverse side is equally interesting:

 


Yes Roberto, I would guess he is. Knowing from recent experience that asemic writing can sometimes lead to trips far into the ether and even quicksand, I am completely impressed Roberto navigated through and made some excellent, unencumbered art. I have no idea if he has previous experience in this area. Regardless, he's a natural. It's a wonderful piece and I look forward to more exchanges and seeing his work in Asemics 16. Roberto has a blog that looks like it's just starting, but growing fast. I'm happy some good IUOMA friends are also followers and interested in his work:

http://pirosmailart.blogspot.com/


Views: 27

Tags: Sloan, asemic-writing, vispo

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Comment by De Villo Sloan on July 1, 2011 at 6:48pm
Glad to see another Roberto fan from asemic group, Skybridge. Yes, we do have fun. Sometimes I like to give attention to the mail-artist too. You have to trust people will use their good judgement.
1cgqtuoblpeqc Comment by 1cgqtuoblpeqc on July 1, 2011 at 1:14pm

if you like 1984, check out:

 

Comment by De Villo Sloan on July 1, 2011 at 1:09pm
Hi Cheryl, I was tickled Roberto used 1984. I think it's fantastic how he integrated that with his asemic writing which is so non-referential. Thank you for the comment about his work.
Comment by cheryl penn on July 1, 2011 at 1:04pm
Wonderful blog DVS - and great work from Roberto - I984 - a joint favorite :-).  Strange how 1984 has come and gone yet we head closer and closer in its direction.
Comment by De Villo Sloan on July 1, 2011 at 12:34pm
Thanks Sh, I could use that. We invoked Big Brother and the Sand Police during the formation of Sandpo. Can't get rid of them now.
1cgqtuoblpeqc Comment by 1cgqtuoblpeqc on July 1, 2011 at 12:30pm

i have something coming your way to help you with the big brother problem, dvs.

from one little brother to another.

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