The Dream of DKult Norway by Diane Keys (Elgin, Illinois, USA) (Part II of the D-Kit Documentation)

[De Villo Sloan]

Mail-art by IUOMA member Diane Keys (Elgin, Illinois, USA)

January 18, 2015 - In Part II of this documentation of a large package of Trashpo that Diane Keys sent me, I first present a cryptic yet excellent example of her style and approach. Much of the D-Kit contains work that can function as DKult recruitment material, so I view this piece through that lens. The found material seems to refer to Norway, only I am unsure about Coney Island. That does not equate with Oslo in any way I can see or discover, except that it is a Coney Island of the mind, for those of you who might recognize the Beatnik reference. Here is the reverse side:

The entire package uses a non-rational and associative/intuitive approach to composition. The work is indeterminate and suggests meaning and intention while always falling just short of revelation or confirmation. I believe this is one factor that makes this package so interesting. Here is some classic Trashpo that was also included:

Fantastic found material. The reverse side has classic listpo:

As ever, deepest thanks to DK. Stay tuned for Part III!

[De Villo Sloan]

Speaking of crickets, don't let Richard bug you.

I notice that it is becoming customary for trashpoets to include unaltered found material in their mailings. That's recycling. I wouldn't be surprised if some of that great stuff NBS was sending DK found its way into the work we see here.

Some time back I saw on FB that Grigori Antonin sent Indiana Rogers a gigantic box of material he uses for collage. I'm not sure why he gave it away, but he finds good stuff.

[Nancy Bell Scott]

Very possible, DK, now that you mention it. Quite a bit of ephemera in my piles comes up Norwegian, as its part of the family ancestry and none of the relatives on that side ever threw out a thing. It has to be used or sent around; otherwise you'll see me on some awful reality show, heavily medicated. DVS, Coney Island of the Mind did ring a big bell here and lived in my undulating collection for years. Very strange to see Coney Island on that Oslo piece! 

[DKeys]

great comments--NBS--I honestly think that Oslo tear sheet is from you! I used to make all my art on postcards but now I like to just use interesting loose papers. But the nice antique ones I like came mostly from ephemera you sent me. maybe you recognize it? is it from one of the playbills? I rarely look for trash these days as it literally comes to me and i usually use it as soon as it is handed to me. And people always send me trashpo right when it seems i need to replenish my supply. Richard can't really believe it's over his head. he is just pulling  my cricket's legs.  And Nancy-something in the mail to you today. it is your art that has had quite a journey!!!

[De Villo Sloan]

Thanks NBS and Neil.

The cricket piece is incredible and easy to grasp as found material, genuine Trashpo. If you have any questions about what Trashpo is, that is what Trashpo is. That simple.

The top piece with Oslo and Coney Island is more obscure and the b-side presents one of those juxtapositions that makes this series so unusual.

I can't find that there is a Coney Island in Oslo. The recent Ferlinghetti discussion in another IUOMA blog made me think of "A Coney Island of the Mind" (there's an obscure reference for some but one of the biggest selling books of poetry in history.) This batch of DK m-a is "A Coney Island of the Mind."

[Nancy Bell Scott]

Agreed. And the crickets thing is priceless. It'll probably be the stuff of dreams tonight.

[Neil Gordon]

Nicely said DVS! This is a whole new level..

[De Villo Sloan]

I have received a lot of great m-a from DK, as many of you have. This D-Kit that I am blogging in several installments contains work that is far more conceptual than what DK usually does. It's like the "Revolution #9" of Trashpo. Now the jury is still out on "Revolution #9," and that's one reason why I make the comparison.

Neil, I agree. DK has a tremendous eye for found material. The cricket announcement is unreal. You can't make up stuff like that. The D-Kit takes it to another level, and in the earlier blog I compared it to Fluxus.

Richard, I was trying to remember (can't go searching in hundreds of old blogs) a discussion we had, maybe last year, about Rauschenberg, which began because we were comparing his work to DK's.

Here is my current theory: DK is a psychic or (what do you call it?) a psychic intuitive. I think that informs how she makes her art. We recognize what she is doing because it achieves the same result as a lot of avant art, and it comes from an associative, instinctive, non-linear place. So DK and Rauschenberg do the same thing, only they get it from different places; they have different worldviews. Now I do not believe, Richard, that either RR or DK are really "over your head." And if you can get a handle on where DK is coming from as a psychic, I think it all falls into place.

[Neil Gordon]

DK is the queen of found material and the Kurt Schwitter "MIRZ" Champion!!!! Breathtaking and alluring material!!!

Wow DK .. looks like a Coffee-stain beer on the note book paper,Fab!!!!

[DKeys]

this dude le is for you RC:

[DKeys]

it was supposed to be for DVS' eyes only, but I was suggesting crickets as a protein source for DKult. it is cost effective (more than salted paste squares as the price of wheat has gone up at the co-op) and they will do well in the complex since we keep it at 60 degrees to save money