Received: Cheryl Penn's Chapter for the "Alexander" Mail-Art Book Project (Durban, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa)

[De Villo Sloan]

Mail-art by IUOMA member Cheryl Penn (Durban, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa)

December 13, 2010 - Cheryl Penn's "What Alexander Conquered in 2010" collaborative book project is inspiring mail-artists from diverse locations around the globe to create and share chapters that offer a view of the places where they live. They also provide imaginative stories about what Alexander the Great would do were he to visit them. Chapters from various mail-artists have been posted here at the IUOMA, and they have generated much interest. Cheryl has contributed her own chapter to the project, and I am fortunate indeed to have received a copy. The pages are presented here in order, and you can start the story with the frame above.

This chapter is fascinating to me in part because it defies my expectations of Cheryl's work - a reminder one should never underestimate an artist's range or versatility. I know Cheryl primarily as a visual-verbal artist whose work leans toward the abstract.

Drama in real life here: Which version Cheryl?, Will edit when I hear from you.

This chapter depends entirely on linear narrative. Images and text are divided and follow the conventions we expect to find in a book. In this case, not what you would expect from someone who recently did graduate work on the subject of the artist's book as a manifestation of postmodernism ;)_

Fortunately, mail-art allows ample freedom for just this kind of project. You can have fun and just enjoy being part of a community. As luck would have it, I wanted a break from the complexities of vispo, asemics, and haptics - just for a bit - like a few hours. And here was Cheryl's chapter waiting. The pics of her view are spectacular and also serve as the object of Alexander's quest,

Can a view be conquered? Is a view abstract? No point in delving too deep. I am just going to enjoy the view this time around. As ever, thanks so much for this, Cheryl.

MAIL-ART PSYCHIC

I

You have a strong desire to maintain peace. How long did it take you to get there? Now arrange the circled letters to form the surprise answer: a medicinal plant, falling apart, most likely to succeed, "The Time Machine" people

Mail-Art Color of the Day - Blue (TYMW)

[cheryl penn]

Thanks for blogging De Villo :-)  Marie I am just binding in the order the work arrives - that means that after Hillcrest he rushed back to Greece - the reason I have researched very well - he forgot his sword... I am inserting maps inbetween all the pages (x marks the spot) and have included Katerina's envelope as part of his travels - the beauty of the hinge... I will put some pics up - when the sun is shining and there is a little light - maybe tomorrow? From Greece, to Angie, then France - then???? When the post reaches the bottom of the world I'll let you know...

[Katerina Nikoltsou (MomKat)]

ok, so it has been 40 minutes...a guy on horseback has to have lunch!

BLUE is the color of the Greek sky today and Alexander is Cheryl's "hero"!

Beautiful chapter and beautiful project! And let's see...about that anagram,

Alex spies no "circled letters" just words in a phrase....meaning?

 

[Katerina Nikoltsou (MomKat)]

give me a minute...I'll be back :-)

(probably with some of that old Greek BLUE tall grass, too)

[Marie Wintzer]

Oh, thanks for the blue, Sloan, how thoughtful!! 

I'm curious to know why Cheryl changed her mind on the page with "my hero". And I like the sense of humor of the piece. As someone said before, would would Alex want to leave this beautiful sight? Do you already have an order of appearance for the book chapters?