Trashpo All-Stars Trashbook Collab: meeah williams (Brooklyn, NY, USA), Diane Keys (Elgin, Illinois, USA) & Moan Lisa (Des Moines, Iowa, USA)

[De Villo Sloan]

Cover of mail-art Trashbook collab by IUOMA members meeah williams (Brooklyn, New York, USA), Diane Keys (Elgin, Illinois, USA) & Moan Lisa (Des Moines, Iowa, USA)

July 31, 2014 - I am knocked out by this stunning Trashbook received from meeah williams in Brooklyn, New York. This instant classic brings together for the first time under one cover the work of Trashpo All-Stars Diane Keys, Moan Lisa and – of course – meeah. The chemistry is palpable, and I am thrilled to share the work in its entirety.

meeah williams included a doily identifying the contributors.

Above is the inside front cover and first page. The Trashbook is filled with pockets that sometimes contain items that can be removed and studied.

The “Duchamp is a jerk” material on the left is by Moan Lisa. On the right, meeah williams makes fine use of Yellow Pages that have a great texture.

In the middle portion of the book, the concept of the page deconstructs or, perhaps a more exact term, decomposes into shreds dominated by the Yellow Pages. Indeed, the paper itself seems to be decomposing; and I see a superb example of Trashpo Gutai that is second only, perhaps, to work by Wendy A. Rogers.

Above is another view of the D-Khaotic center section of the collaborative Trashbook.

Having passed through the Gutai section, the Trashbook magically reforms into a more conventional artists book format. meeah williams even included a hole, no doubt as a nod to Holism.

Above is the last page and inside back cover. I can’t call this an Aesthetic Trashbook; it has far more affinity with the anti-art Trashbook strain. meeah williams does, however, manage to provide some incredible juxtapositions of consumer trash with fine art.

And the back cover of this tour-de-force. Nor does meeah ever fail to deliver in terms of envelope art:

The usual suspect:

Thanks and congratulations to meeah, DK and Moan Lisa!

[Susan McAllister]

It's nice to see WAR's book again. Thanks for the reminder, DVS.

[Susan McAllister]

It's nice to see WAR's book again. Thanks for the reminder, DVS.

[De Villo Sloan]

Thanks DK, Susan & Wendy.

For sure, WAR - in my universe this belongs w/your ground-breaking Gutai Trashbook. You used a higher degree of disintegration of the paper but meeah's yellow pages are close. (For international friends, yellow pages are in telephone books (nearly obsolete) for commercial advertising only.

http://iuoma-network.ning.com/profiles/blogs/a-d-komposed-trashbook...

[WA Rodgers]

You must be in heaven!  Fabulous collaborative work here, gals!

[Susan McAllister]

Wow.

[DKeys]

I've been doing unofficial collabs with Meeah for awhile now. It's kind of like John Bennett. without him saying a word, you just feel compelled to add and collab his pieces.  this was definately not a planned thing and is a wonderful surprise. I LOVE it Gina!!!!!  I sent trashbits and randomness in most all of my mailings hoping someone can use them.  This might even be a letter i received and passed on from nancy Bell Scott. clearly we are all one in the mail art omniverse

[De Villo Sloan]

[De Villo Sloan]

OK - so, as they, say meeah was the "point person" or coordinator on this. I didn't know if the participants had passed this around through the mail or this was going to be a surprise. The material integrates seamlessly.

The center section w/the crumbling yellow pages, lottery tickets etc. achieves what WAR did with her Gutai Trashbook. You really can't appreciate it until pieces start falling off into your lap. I've always contended Trashpo is social realism.

Thanks again, Gina. Trashpo is about recycling & it's generally understood the Trashpoets are open to these collabs, at least from what I've seen.

Are we clear on Moan's position concerning Duchamp? (Thx Moan)

[Gü]

I've upcycled part of something you sent me too Diane.. recognise the letter? (of course I wouldn't have done that if it was addressed to me! 

[DKeys]

Wow!!! I had no idea!!!  amazing to see where things go that you send out randomly.  this is fantastic and my back and forth with Meeah is always building on itself and evolving which makes it such a satisfying exchange.   I will never stop loving trashbooks...