RECEIVED: Mail-Art from Kurt Schwitters (FAKE) by Frieder Speck (Munchen, Germany)

[De Villo Sloan]

Fake Kurt Schwitters mail-art by IUOMA member Frieder Speck (Munchen, Germany)

 

July 12, 2011 - I expect the fake John Bennett grocery lists. I expect the fake Diane Keys Chunk-O-Skunks. I expect fake Grigori Antonin postcards. I did not expect to receive mail-art from collage-hero Kurt Schwitters - and also my first mail-art from a dead person (because Grigori's was fake).  Frieder included a note on the reverse side:

 

 

Well, that wordplay is greatly appreciated and interesting. Also included is what I believe is a fake note from Kurt Schwitters; it's hard to read in person and not much improved with a scan. This is to be expected because it is meant to be antique, and the retro quality of this is impressive:

 

 

I do think this is a fantastic piece and greatly appreciate it. Kids, with this new wave of fakes circulating, yeah, it's probably best to identify your fakes as such, especially since these things are now turning up on a ebay. People there don't always know about the tradition of hoaxes in the mail-art world. Lord forbid there was a misunderstanding in the realm of commerce involving the exchange of cashpo for trashpo (and any taxation tagged on).

 

I witnessed myself the horror and embarrassment caused by the fake Ray Johnson episode in Japan last year. The carelessness of one irresponsible artist can cause measureless heartache for innocents who believe they have received mail-art from a hero and have to learn of his death several decades ago through crudity and a complete lack of sensitivity. Frieder Speck also included a photo of some wonderful asemic writing:

 

 

I am very much enjoying working with Frieder on the Asemics 16 project and look forward to many more mail-art exchanges.

[De Villo Sloan]

those were the dark times. bf - before frieder

[De Villo Sloan]

You must rest Frieder. You have to save the economy. You have to face the Minnesota Menace in his lair. You might be our Mail-Art Messiah. Neo - you might be THE ONE!

[Nancy Bell Scott]

That's a great piece, Dark wall. Too bad it's haunted. But maybe not.

 

[Frieder Speck]

The reign of antagonism? Mail attacs, yes I missed that I think, but I´m hungry to hear storys about the good old times! But now I have to dream, cause I have to finish a project in the morning.

[De Villo Sloan]

beware the grigster, lord of the apes

[De Villo Sloan]

Frieder, you missed the reign of Antonism. But, unfortunately, he communicates with you in your dreams.

[Frieder Speck]

Is there no way to escape? It must be hard to know everything. I´m a little afraid now. Its late and I want to sleep, but I´m afraid of my dreams now.

[Nancy Bell Scott]

 

lol you two.

 

[De Villo Sloan]

Just watch Frieder - I bet Grigori sends you mail-art. He and his agents are everywhere. They know everything

[Frieder Speck]

Ok the monkeys might be a problem I will hopefully have only coins, no bananas. Not every problem can be solved by coins.