ADD & PASS

omg.  i LERVE schiele.  great work!!

would like to send out some postcards..and receive some in return. happy holidays, everyone...from memphis, TN. 

I'm new and not sure how to get started sending and passing.

Mail-ART * ¡ OJO POR OJO ! *

TÚ, me envías una obra o varias y YO te mando una o varias FIRMADAS. Más una biografía del autor.Como Una por Una, Dos por Dos. Etc

Todas las técnicas: Grabado, Pintura, Collages, etc.

SIN LÍMITE DE FECHA

1ª Exposición en DICIEMBRE 2020

2ª Exposición en JUNIO 2021

3ª EXPOSICIÓN GLOBAL en DICIEMBRE 2021. FIN DEL MAIL-ART ¡ OJO POR OJO!

Enviar a:

Atelier & Galeía Felipe LAMADRID.

Litoral, 25.

11500 El Puerto de Santa María, Cádiz (ESPAÑA)

Mail-ART * ¡ OJO POR OJO ! * / * EYE FOR AN EYE ! *

YOU, send me one or some artworks, and I send you one or some of them.SIGNED And the artist biography For example: You send me 2 artworks, I wll send you 2 artworks, and so on.

Every technique: Engravings, Paintings, Collages...

NO DEADLINE

1^st EXHIBITION in DECEMBER 2020

2^nd EXHIBITION in JUNE 2021

3^rd GLOBAL EXHIBITION in DECEMBER 2021. END of the MAIL-ART ¡ OJO POR OJO !

( EYE FOR AN EYE! )

Send to:

Atelier & Gallery Felipe LAMADRID.

C/ Litoral, nº 25.

11500 El Puerto de Santa María, Cádiz (SPAIN)

Do I correctly understand Add and Pass to mean I send (or get) a piece of art, the recipient adds to it, and then passes it on to someone else of their choice? If that's not right, please explain how it works. Thanks!

I have time this month, Jo.

i'm open to add and passes.. :)

I'm happy to get one.

My mailbox is always open, just make sure you use the newer address on my profile ;) 

I just received an envelope with four xeroxed pages, with a few stickers added on to them. And names/addresses of three or four people. It's not clear to me how many people have been involved in this add&pass. Do I assume that those four people are the only ones who have sent/received this and send my addition to a new person I can pick from the group list? Or what?

Susan, if there is still room to add something, add and pass along.

If whatever you add makes you feel is finished, try to pass it back to the person who created it. 

Cheers! 

It's not clear to me who created it.  Also, how come I am getting xeroxes rather than the original pages?

There are some mail artists who ask that participants xerox and keep their own copy, and sometimes they just send out the “copies” for different added results.

I second what Jo said, you can post pictures here.

In addition, there are add and passes that are sometimes unable to be returned to the original owner. You can post them here and “archive” them for your collection. 

Let me share my experience. At some point, I decided that now I will always finish the image, after which I will return the sheet to the initiator, and I will never again be one of the many stations on the way. Only completion, with maximum expression! (And only once did I break this oath).

Thanks, all. Here's a photo (sorry it's so big) of what I received. Can anyone identify themself as the initiator?

Mim, or anyone, could I ask for a bit more info on Dennis? I was reached out by him as well and got some mail from him...he reached out via my instagram and we were discussing erotic art (someone that doesnt bother me) but then he deleted the IG account and a couple days later I received mail. When I googled the return address (I was getting some weird vibes and was just curious) it showed a construction site lol. I'm all for the mystery of mail art (especially the kind that I imagine predated the internet and our ability to find out more about each other) but I keep seeing comments on here about how he seems to be a controversial mail-artist, and I just want to know if its worth my time continuing a correspondence with this person or not. This is not meant to stir drama, I am happy continuing this convo via inbox if prefered. Thanks! :)

**i meant (something that doesnt bother me) not someone... in my previous comment

Thanks, Mim. I found Josh's address and I'll send this cluster on to him. The postmark on the envelope was Tampa/St. Pete. Does that confirm Dennis Gergen? This was actually the second A&P I received in this style, but the first (also from Tampa/St.P) was so cryptic and unidentified that I'm afraid I consigned it to the circular file. I have to say that I don't find these very artistic and would just as soon not get them.

Glad to  have my instinct confirmed.

I recycle those, too.

If I remember correctly, his last name is "Gergel."

I've also received envelopes containing sheets like those from Tampa/St. Pete with a "Shirley Gergel" return address. I suspect that those are really from Dennis G.

More for the recycle bin.

Speaking of Josh Ronsen's project: I've received two of those little zines that he made from add-and-pass sheets and they are great!

Whenever I get a sheet that looks full but I can't figure out who started the add-and-pass, I send it to Josh.

Mah Nu, Gergel is a stalker and involves people who don't want to be involved, like the guy who's the director of the art museum. A guy I know, when I contacted him he said that Gergel was employed at the museum before he came there, what capacity he didn't say, and that he was disguntled. 

He also stalked a female mail artist last year and sent explicit mail art which she wasn't interested in. She had to close down her PObox. The last batch with the St.Pete's/Tampa postmark, with his tell-tale markings, I was the first recipient so they went into the "file" next to my studio table. If they'd have had other participants, I'd have sent them to Josh.

My view is that Gergel is a menace.

Sometime last year he sent me FAKE add & pass sheets attributed to DSFCult & I almost blogged them but checked w/DSF who knew nothing about them & didn't want them published.

I get the prank thing in mail art but I believe this incident was different, 

Mail art has very few "bad apples," but it is my personal view that Gergel is one of them.

Thank you all very much for your feedback and advice... as a newer artist in this network, it means a lot to me... (and sorry for taking up so much space in this discussion on this matter). As an artist who appreciates erotic and unconventional work, I also know it is important to be sensitive and consensual with how the art engages others. He definitely seems like someone I do not have the interest or time to spend on... thanks again <333

Welp... DVS he apparently is still passing fake DSF stuff, I was passed some recently. 

I have a lot of experience with “Gergel” and spoke privately with some of you about it but if you’re curious you can message me directly. 

You're are correct De Villo Sloan, Gergel is the bad apple for sure. I've been very fortunate not to experience others, even though I have all my information on my page. 

He's not pranking, he's being dishonest. 

Hi Mim, yes, and you probably remember back before the DSF fakes. I think he was actually an IUOMA member at one point & was either kicked out or driven off the platform (which is incredibly unusual). There's a bizarre history going back several years. 

Jenn, so sorry you attracted his attention. Gergels are very unusual in the network so I hope it doesn't tarnish your view of mail art.

Mail art is a genre where to an extent you become a public figure or persona. The established figures develop a trusting relationship with their audience. People build relationships over months and years. Again, "bad apples" don't survive long. 

Mah Nu - I think you've come to the right place to get a grasp of how the network functions. The interesting things you are doing, like cassette culture, are genres that thrive in the Eternal Network. So I'm looking forward to seeing more of what you're doing.

Yeah, when I got into this in the late 70s (Lord, I'm old) there was downright pornography, violence, extreme politics & all forms of insanity in the mailbox (along with extraordinary art). The network - after all - was mainline counter culture in the beginning. 

That's changed, of course. And in my decade at IUOMA we've - collectively - dealt with people freaking out over things that have shocked them in the mail. We've talked about it a lot, in fact. Ruud Janssen's concept of "unspoken rules" has worked surprisingly well.

When Ray Johnson was alive he was called in for questioning over some nudity in mail art someone received by accident. I don't remember the story completely but even bunny rabbit Ray was accused of being a pronographer.

Oh, and DSF was not really pleased when I contacted him (imho) and I had spent all this time putting the blog together.

Despite his persona, DSF is a really good guy with a positive message. I don't know why DG is targeting DSF.

I'm actually the one who set off this latest thread because I'm a new member and as soon as I signed up I received two batches of Gergen/Gergel stuff. I did add to one and send it to Josh at Mim's suggestion. Thank you all for all the clarification. If he's no longer an active member, he is obviously trolling the site because how else would he know about me?Is there any way to not get more of Gergel's DSF stuff? Or if I do get it I guess I should just consign it to the recycling bin.

Hey Guys, I get the Gergel "Tampa/St. Pete" postmarked mail pretty often and I toss them right in the recycle bin. He's an idiot because he spends all that money on postage. I don't appreciate anything that does not have a return address. He's a sociopath. His trademark is the dot-boarders made with markers. I've been getting mail from Opal Moiety in San Francisco that has the same dots. Any connection there?

The one I got had Opal something--I thought it was Misty but may have been Moiety-- and a SF P.O.Box written on two pages.

Also so sorry to be so long-winded. I had really wanted to write an article about the fakes.

I have reservations about naming people in public but Dennis Gergel (I believe that is accurate) has contacted a number of us here, so we've been pulled into this. I didn't realize a number of fake DSF Cult a&ps were circulating.

With any A&P, it's up to you (the recipient) to decide what to do: Circulate or not, contribute to the art or not, document online. It's just a matter of your own ethics & conscience.

There is no money involved, so it would be of no interest to a lawyer if anyone is worried about that. If you are outside the USA, there is not much anyone can do, So please do not worry if you are "holding" a fake DSF A&P or contributed to one.

When I dug into the fake DSF A&Ps I made some inquiries among mail artists on FB. DSF (Michael Kelly) called the fake right away. A woman artist from New Mexico, USA (not an IUOMA-Ning member) identified the fake and said she had been receiving unwanted mail from DG for a long time. A few other women responded as well - but I'm a bit hazy because it was "just another night on the job."

Opal moiety - those have been turning up too. Funny about that as well: Everything isn't about me. BUT! I put out a call for info about a veteran mail artist named Opal L. Nations who is a legend but MIA. Joey Patrickt reported Opal is still alive and living in the San Francisco Bay Area. Great! I love Opal. Then the Opal moiety tidbits start arriving. Strange,

To be honest, I suggested to DSF (via messenger) that I post the fakes online and share the narrative. Then at least we could see what's being discussed. For whatever reason, DSF didn't want the fakes published. The woman artist was adamant they not appear. In truth, you or I can post the A&Ps. I just didn't out of deference to the women & DSF. I sort of wish this had all come out a few months ago,

Thank you for putting up with my rants! DVS

Can someone take my picture out of this group and remove me from this list please?  I really don't want to be part of Add and Pass.  Thank you!

Thanks, Mim. If I wasn't clear, I believe the Opal moiety signatures are fake as well. Opal Nations stopped mailing a LONG time ago (too bad really). The fakes appeared during the modest uptick in Opal Nations interest on FB. This is conjecture, I must add;

Pam McVay - I think you have to delete yourself to leave an IUOMA-Ning group you joined. Another Deletist!

Pam McVay: to bid us goodbye, click on the "Leave Group" link, which is above the Members roster.

Hey everyone. I posted a blog about this mysterious add and pass that I received, but after reading through this group I suspect that I also received some of the “Gergen” mail. All the sheets have the marker sorts/lines border. I thought it was a bit odd that they were xeroxed, with. I thing else added to them besides some stickers, and the marker. I’m guessing he is targeting new folks? I was super stoked to have received some mail, and the slightly less stoked to find out that it was semi-fake lol. If anyone wants to send me some
actual add and pass mail, I’m down to add to it, and send on. My address is on my profile. Thanks. -Jim Rice ( Devolved Post).

Hi Jim, that’s a Gergel.

I’ll send some various Add and Passes your way, I seem to take all the homeless ones in. I’m always open for adding and passing. Welcome! 

Mim Golub Scalin + Jenn Miltenberger.  Thanks so much for the offer.  Please send anything!  I appreciate the kindness. -Jim Rice.

i think i got some 'fakes' recently too.  i added to them, and have started to send some out.. 

i'm always happy to add and pass.. :)

Hi, another baseline thing. There is no right or wrong way to do an Add & Pass of course. But an average add & pass will have contributions from the artist & stamps or signatures identifying the artist & their location. It helps if there is a final destination. (These were invaluable before the internet). Here is a nice format circulated by a woman in the Netherlands. FYI. 

This is all very new to me. I have never received an official add and pass (or maybe I did once and didn't know what it was) and I have never received mail that looks anything like this example. So, oh dear because I have sent something to Mim: she was the first or second person to engage with me in a way I understood and so she (unfortunately?) gets the first messy energies of my flurry (all completely playful and tailored to her, though). I think I called one of the pieces an 'add, subtract, multiply, divide or simply pass'. I did not provide further guidelines. You may recycle it, Mim.

Appreciate the mail, Mel Anie. I'm feeling so awful because things meaning mail incoming is piling up on my studio table. I will get to all of it, and I will add pass divide etc all things that call for it. Meanwhile, I've been grabbing an old postcard or artist card and adding a circle or text to it. It's fast and relieves my stress. See you all in the mail eventually. Peace and love

I just came across this scan of a Ray Johnson Add & Pass and thought you might like to see an actual A&P from the New York Correspondance School. Richard C or CrackerJack could tell us more, but my understanding is that Ray Johnson's Add & Passes were often very directed & based on themes.