Trashbook (with Work by Other Artists) by FinnBadger (Columbus, Ohio, USA)

[De Villo Sloan]

Mail art (Trashbook cover) by IUOMA member FinnBadger (Columbus, Ohio, USA)

April 25, 2015 - Perusing this absolutely extraordinary work I received from FinnBadger, I note that the creation of a trashbook is becoming a rite of passage for new mail artists who are establishing a personal network and exploring the various forms and modes available. FinnBadger tells me his trashbook includes work by Katerina Nikoltsou aka Momkat (Greece), Linda French (USA), Petrolpetal (South Africa), Minneapolis Gnome (USA), DKult aka Diane Keys (USA) and possibly others. I apologize in advance for the quality of the scans, which do not do justice to this amazing piece.

Since the ascension of Trashpo a few years ago, I have received and documented many wonderful trashbooks. Some of the artists have gone on to become identified as trashpoets and DKulters. Others have gone in a different direction but seemed to have enjoyed the exercise. Most who take the trashbook challenge are interested in book arts, artists books and collaborative books.

Whatever the reasons for this extraordinary labor, I am thrilled that FinnBadger chose to share this trashbook with me. Not to brag, but we have received, documented and commented upon trashbook classics by Diane Keys, Cheryl Penn, Eduardo Cardoso, Nancy Bell Scott and others who pioneered the form. This work by FinnBadger stands easily and equally with the giants.

FinnBadger’s trashbook is dense and complex. The stance overall is anti-art rather than the aesthetic wing of the genre. The piece is constructed with paper bags that contain loose items. Various folds produce sub-pages and conceal hidden compartments and images. Thus, documentation of all permutations and perspectives is nearly impossible. I can only offer a limited view.

Here is a loose, found item from inside one of the bags:

I am a little perplexed concerning right-side-up and forward and backward, but I shall proceed all the same:

What is a trashbook without an homage to DK?

More found material from one of the bags.

Deepest thanks to FinnBadger for this amazing trashbook!

[De Villo Sloan]

FinnBadger, DKULTUK is good place to find trashpoets. Martha is superb. (Hang around w/DK, KDJ and Meeah and you might wake up in the Mexican clinic with amnesia ;)

Where else can we philosophize about the nature of garbage? pre-trash(Po), representational trash, etc. You have a point there, but I don't think that interferes with your achievement here.

The secret compartments, sub-pages (what else to call them) and related elements that question the traditional notion of the book are also a strong element of the trashbook. You've been uncanny with this aspect.

Overall, if you are really concerned, Trashpo encourages recycling materials and avoiding the waste of consumer culture. You achieved that in this work. Some of it is obviously parody, but there are some sincere and possibly good ideas as well.

[FinnBadger]

Thanks for the bonus links and comments.

One of the things I enjoyed about making this book is that I also did not document the entire thing - it would have taken me far too long, as there are so many ways some of the pages can be looked at/manipulated.

This means that I don't even know/remember what was in each pocket, or underneath each tab. Hidden compartments that only the receiver has access to.

I was communicating with Mail Art Martha about one piece of trash that I sent her - and decided it was really pre-trashPo, as it was destined for the trash, but hadn't made it there. So far all of my efforts in this area are pre-trash in that sense, although where items are from other artists they undoubtedly can be considered genuine trashpo. 

I did find myself picking something out of a trash can in front of a work colleague the other day when it caught my eye. Slippery slope? Will I end up as fierce as Martha, who wrestles trash from the hands of council workers with impunity?

Only time will tell.

[De Villo Sloan]

And this is a pic of what is widely considered the first trashbook, which was made by DK circa 2011. Some are surprised to see how it started. It says: "Ancient Text." There were a lot of book arts people at IUOMA at the time and some were offended and thought that DK was mocking book arts and tradition. I don't believe that was the case, personally. Of course the burnt material...

 

[De Villo Sloan]

I feel like I've posted this somewhere recently, so sorry if folks are seeing it again. I think it's relevant. One of my fave trashbooks is one Cheryl Penn made (and included in the blog). It's surprising because Cheryl wasn't much interested in Trashpo, and then she decided to try making a trashbook. There is also a trashbook by Eduardo Cardoso in that blog - his trashometry piece. Eduardo is another master.

http://iuoma-network.ning.com/profiles/blogs/trashpo-and-the-indivi...

[De Villo Sloan]

A masterpiece, FinnBadger. The backward-forward, upside down disorientation is not unusual in trashbooks. I just wasn't sure. You somehow managed to capture about every convention/innovation that people have added over the years.

No matter how imperfect my documentation, at least people can get a sense of what you have done here.

Thanks again.

[FinnBadger]

Glad you liked it, thanks for blogging it.

As you surmised, there is no back or front, the book can be enjoyed from any direction.