RECEIVED: Erni Baer Beats Me from Britain! (Hamburg, Germany via Coventry, England)

[De Villo Sloan]

Beat Scene zine (published in Britain) from IUOMA member Erni Baer (Hamburg, Germany)

 

August 22, 2011 - Is it mail-art? I don't care. I cannot possibly thank Erni Baer (aka Haptic Werewolf aka Hipster of Hamburg)  enough for sending me a hot-off-the-press copy of Beat Scene magazine with a stunning shot on the cover of Jack Kerouac in his prime (New York, 1957), looking across time and space into our eyes. I bet he'd approve that he found his way back to the United States via the mail-art network. What can I send Erni? Maybe a Tom Clark book would be appropriate ;))) And Beat Scene is not just for pictures, the articles are great:

 

 

The excerpt from "More Notes of a Dirty Old Man" by Charles Bukowski is a big score for the issue. Of course, the article I shall read over and over is:

 

We have discussed Black Mountain College often at the IUOMA. In October 2010, John Held, Jr. curated a mail-art show in North Carolina where the former Black Mountain College has been converted to an archive, research center, and art gallery. Many of us had work in the show. Ray Johnson was among the many artists and writers who attended Black Mountain, so this part of 20th century cultural history is intimately connected to the mail-art movement. Also included in the envelope from Britain was this piece of cardboard. I think it was just meant to provide support for Beat Scene as it traveled through the mail system. To us, of course, it is found art:

 

 

Again Erni, a heartfelt thank you to my favorite Hamburg hipster. Erni hosted a blog post where a group of us taxed our memories to construct a cultural history that covers some of the territory in Beat Scene:

http://iuoma-network.ning.com/profiles/blogs/billy-the-kid-wanted-in

[De Villo Sloan]

Erni. thanks for posting below. I think you responded to a comment I made on a bizarre right-wing political attack on Bukowski. I withdrew it. The slippery slope into politics is better left for somewhere else, imho. Glad you got the message.

[De Villo Sloan]

I do like it! I poked through your IUOMA portfolio again. Great work in there.

[De Villo Sloan]

A can-opy?

[De Villo Sloan]

A link to Erni Baer's semiotic sausage can. Ultimately, the sausage can can only talk about itself. And the experience of the sausage can can only be the sausage can:

http://iuoma-network.ning.com/profiles/blogs/received-trashpo-maila...

[De Villo Sloan]

Yes Erni! "Llingdo" (excuse anglicized sausage) you sent me from a year ago. It remains safe and sound in my archives. I recall it was very popular. I think I had to win it.

[De Villo Sloan]

Fantastic Jerry Garcia story! Love it! A classic! As for the "lingdo" - do you remember this?

[De Villo Sloan]

And are we talking about Bono from U2? Cheryl was talking about isibongo poetry. I wondered what it was. Sounds FAB!

[De Villo Sloan]

I read that story, Erni! Buk is tremendously funny - I must re-read.

 

There is an Urban Legend story I've heard in several forms about a Deadhead (Grateful Dead fan) who bought several pizzas and got through all the hotel (or theater) security by holding up the boxes and saying, "Pizza for Jerry Garcia! Jerry Garcia ordered these pizzas." According to legend the fan (impersonating a pizza delivery person if you haven't gathered) meets Jerry and the band, the prank is greeted with great humor, and the Deadhead parties with the Grateful Dead all night. In Germany, would it be Lingdo instead of pizza? I doubt the story is true.

[De Villo Sloan]

Bring up Beatniks, and I will bore you with Tales of Beatnik Glory! The Beaten path...

[De Villo Sloan]

Well, is he bongo? Or is he Bedtime for Bonzo? (Old Ronald Reagan movie where the leading role was played by a monkey named bonzo alongside the future US President)