RECEIVED: "But is it Trashpo?" from Neil Gordon (Connecticut, USA) & Karen Champlin (Illinois, USA)

[De Villo Sloan]

Mail-art by IUOMA member Neil Gordon (Wethersfield, Connecticut, USA)

January 25, 2012 - Neil Gordon is a relatively new IUOMA member and friend who is always very interested to learning about and discussing different aspects of mail-art. He participated in the Asemics 16 collaborative books but has found his voice in the more DaDa-related practices: Trashpo, DharmaDaDa Erni Baer, and the DKULT. 

Neil recently sent me a wonderful envelope of Trashpo, much of which was created from collage scraps and pieces of trash I sent him. You can see in the scan at the top (with a cereal box background) the "Prayer Flag"  and there is a piece of a Triscuit box or something, not sure about the monster. Here's Neil's note:

Also included is a an A-4 size collage (below). Much of the material used is provided by Neil. I recognize some things I sent, but he took the lead on theme. The important thing is that he, to some degree, seems to have put together Investigative Mail-Art about the Dali Lama. Yet the overlay and inlay of trash certainly provides the chance language elements that make Trashpo Trashpo:

Many thanks, Neil! This was great fun, and I look forward to doing it again.

Before the holidays I was thrilled to continue trading with dear friend Karen Champlin (Highland Park, Illinois, USA). She sent me a terrific response to our blue tape dialog that includes some of her work incorporating Trashpo elements.

Karen often takes the lead among many of the visual poets at the IUOMA when it comes to entering new territory.  She has always been a great personal inspiration. For example, when I began experimenting with asemic writing, I always watched what Karen was doing for guidance, which also strengthened our bond of mutual support. Karen has always used found material, but recently she has done work that can be traced directly to the dumpster.

But first, here are two exquisite pieces included in the recent mailing:

KC fans will recognize the distinctive work right away. They use found materials, but I don't believe the Trashpo influence is pronounced. These two pieces are each approximately 3 x 5 inches and done in Karen's assemblage style with asemic symbols and intricate vispo overlaying.

In previous blogs, I have called these pieces talismans. The interpretation still holds, but as I learn more about Object Poetry, I realize Karen is also creating object poems, especially since they are three-dimensional - poetry and material are unified. Here is the long-awaited material that more clearly fits the Trashpo definition:

Karen Champlin definitely makes use of found material with text in these pieces, specifically junk mail from banks and insurance companies. It's interesting to see how she uses it - she just integrates it into her style and method of composition flawlessly.

So many Trash poets seem reverent about their materials: They do not alter it. I think it's great Karen filled in my name and then did stamp overlaying. For her, I gather experimenting with trash was just a matter of integrating a different kind of material into her vision. She definitely brings an aesthetic to it.

In a previous blog, I wrote that I believe Karen is a "confessional" visual poet. That is, her work is highly autobiographical. I also believe this is unusual in the genre. By experimenting with trashpo, Karen has been able to enlarge the personal narrative that her work - all of it brought together - represents. It's an amazing journey, and I look forward to sharing much more work with Karen.

//

MAIL-ART PSYCHIC

Fire up the wood chipper. He's going ice fishing again.

Moose relative

Pajamas with feet - footsies

Moon magic has you overthinking a personal matter.

Ray says: "John Dos Passout on the Manhattan Transfer."

Doctor_____. Tractor beam.

Warren Commission or hutch for rabbits/

______ showers bring______ flowers

[De Villo Sloan]

DKKK was a typo resulting from using the amputated stub of my finger & pecking at the keyboard.

I agree the Golden Shower did something to me I cannot explain. An interesting approach might be to more or less re-enact the experience and process it with a professional. 

[DKeys]

Rebuttal: DKult is in NO way associated with the KKK. We firmly believe that the only beings superior to human beings of any race or creed, are animals. KDJ's rings are handcrafted from the finest, and very hard to find, materials. She insists to do ALL the work herself. DVS, I think you are suffering PTSD from your traumatic being peed on incident. Massive reprogramming will be neccessary. Please schedule an appt with Dr. Benway (now the resident psychiatrist of DKult).

[De Villo Sloan]

And Austin Wills James was responding to a comment (unfortunately deleted) about Grateful Dead belt buckles from Australia. I don't think we can get the buckles. Can he get a D-Koder ring or a DK belt buckle?

[De Villo Sloan]

I can't move without a rebuttal from the D-KKK. I think your aKKounting practices should be investigated,

[De Villo Sloan]

Given it takes KDJ 2 months to make 4 rings, yes, Vizma is probably in for a long wait.

The golden shower story is absolutely true. The guy just hung it out the window and let it rip. I think some other people nearby started throwing stuff at him. 

[DKeys]

Visma--Rubber is a real movie. DVS watches only the highest quality films, so I try to recommend my best finds.Visma, you already are a member of DKult, because we are like that feature on Facebook where you can add people to groups without their consent OR knowledge. But I hope you will willfully be a member now. It should qualify you for a DKoder ring,  but I think KDJ (the manufacturer) is pretty backlogged right now.

The golden shower story is disgusting. I hope you made that up too.  

[Marie Wintzer]

Tell me you made up that rain story ;-)))

[Austin Wills James]

Did someone say Grateful Dead?

[De Villo Sloan]

dk gets confused about rubber - ask her about D-troit.

[Marie Wintzer]

I got a GREAT piece by Karen Champlin yesterday. And it's a bit different from what she has done before. I won't hijack the blog, you'll have to wait and see...