A Blog Post For Flanéur Jen Staggs (Dallas, Texas USA) Ed and Grace.

[cheryl penn]

Mail Art received 13th January 2010

You know, I dont know how she does it!  That Jen ACTUALLY gets her envelopes to my door!  In real life, here, these excellents would NEVER make it.  So I'm guessing she has some sort of enveloped control?

Jens distinctive, well made, thoughtful work is always a real pleasure to receive.  1913. That was long ago. That was First World War time.  Yes, it was a time to handle with care. It made the whole world fragile.

Jen, THANK YOU my friend.  Yes, I am enjoying, and hope to enjoy more of your work this year xx

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mail Art received 7th December 2010

O yes, o yes, Snap Crackle and Pop finally got to Africa.

The Swishy, swanky Lady in Red arrives with great aplomb. The clapping, the accolades - Jen - an oscar moment for you and your mail art!!! Sewing on the stamps, textile art through the mail arriving unscathed - when postcards look like they've been through a shredder - MAN!!! WELL DONE!!! She will be RUSHING into my Red Book, heels clacking - yes, I can just hear her - O, I'm smiling - THANK YOU!

 

Its serendipitous - but here she sits forever, in cyber space too, with her companions below x

The Crimson Giant contribution by Jen Staggs. October 2010.

I received this excellent contribution to The Crimson Giant and The Tower of Babel project from Jen Staggs. It has been such a pleasure working with Jen. I asked her to give me a write up about the work she sent in. I know the viewer is supposed to bring all their own meaning - feel free to still to that, but for me, the intent of the originator is vital in understanding meaning. Feel free to bring your own thereafter - I'm going with Jen!

 

She writes, "I was really inspired by Cheryl's idea of the Crimson Giant as a flaneur, wandering around the chaos of the tower of Babel and taking it all in. So I decided to work with the chaos around me- Dallas is a such wealthy, self-satisfied chunk of Texas, it really is unlike any other city in the state. "

"We appreciate good Southern manners here, but most Dallasites are fists in velvet gloves- soft and genteel on the outside and ferociously strong and stubborn when provoked!" This page of Jens contribution is interactive - the silver spoon is removable (Aint it just!)" She writes further, "as a grad student, I like to think of myself as a flaneur (flaneuse?)- just a casual observer taking it all in. So this is what I see most of the time- money, sophisticated people with unsophisticated priorities. Obviously, on any other day, I could create a booklet about the art scene, the local musicians, Dallas food, the homeless population, or umteen other topics. This was just today".

Her use of iconic actresses is very tongue in cheek - so we all known today was just today Jen!

BUT! Her card ends on a serious note. Thanks Jen - I really appreciate your explanation and book contribution. I have been VERY impressed by everyone's willingness and generosity in contributing to this project. Three down four to go!
Jen leaves us with a final request: "I am also curious to learn more about y'all's home towns- how you see yourselves within the sphere of your respective neighborhoods...are you an outsider merely wandering behind the scenes and observing? Are you an outsider because of language or choice? Are you an insider? I'm eager to hear more! Thanks Cheryl for giving us such an amazing opportunity to create." So go on, answer her questions with mail art - I certainly am.

[Marie Wintzer]

Jen really likes to experiment with her envelopes and things she sends, and I think most of the time it works out without a hitch. great!

[Marie Wintzer]

And all this fantastic art without UHU!! :-))

[cheryl penn]

O - make no mistake - its a problem the world over :-)

[Austin Wills James]

I suppose that my living in Dallas, only a rhinestone's throw from Jenn, gives me a unique understanding of her take on our local culture. For 7 years as a bank teller I dealt with the people shown in her work & their money; which leads me (in my own verbose, meandering way) to my point... excellent job nailing down the attitudes & absurdities held by so many of our neighbors!

-AWJ-

[cheryl penn]

I think we are all strangers and pilgrims, except those who have no concept of their impermanence?

[Marie Wintzer]

Love the idea of the state with a silver spoon. And if it's removable, well, even better. I didn't know that Dallas was such a "chic" city. Learning every day. Good job Jen!
I certainly feel like an outsider. Here in Japan because I don't understand the language, and back home because too much time passes in between my short visits. Oh well...

[De Villo Sloan]

Cheryl, it's wonderful that you're documenting the whole Crimsoned Giant process so thoroughly. Jen Staggs was a sort of dark horse, so to speak, in all this - wasn't sure how she'd approach it. Great to see it. Thanks so much!