A case for Male-Art? Richard Canard (Carbondale, Illinois, USA), liketelevisionsnow (Tamworth, New Hampshire, USA), The Blessed Father (San Diego, California, USA)

[De Villo Sloan]

Mail-art by IUOMA member Richard Canard (Carbondale, Illinois, USA)

June 27, 2013 - When scanning this mail-art received from Richard Canard, liketelevisionsnow and The Blessed Father, I remembered earlier days in the Eternal Network when the presence of men far out-numbered women. I believe the increased participation of women is one very important factor in the current vitality, diversity and evolution of mail-art. On some level, as others have suggested, can differences be detected between "Fe-mail" and "Male Art"? I am not sure. I would not want to make too much of it, but maybe.

Anyway, I am thrilled to have received this Hemingway-esque piece of Trashpo from Richard Canard that includes some of his wonderful commentary on the reverse side:

I especially like the section containing, "Art is out of the picture completely." Within Richard's wit, thoughtful insights abound.

Mail-art by IUOMA member liketelevisionsnow (Tamworth, New Hampshire, USA)

The ubiquitous liketelevisionsnow (aka lts) has weighed in recently at the IUOMA with two stellar (IMHO) mail-art call concepts that are still open:

The Middle Finger Project

http://iuoma-network.ning.com/group/the-middle-finger-project?xg_so...

What doesn't belong - add & return project:

http://iuoma-network.ning.com/profiles/blogs/what-doesn-t-belong-ad...

xg_source=activity

As you can see in the scan above, lts kindly sent me the add & return. I have prepared my contribution, and it is on its way back to him:

That is a mink head, BTW.

I am hoping I can contribute to both calls simultaneously.

Mail-art by IUOMA member The Blessed Father (San Diego, California, USA)

I always have the utmost respect for a preacher, so I am proud to display this beautiful and tasteful artwork from my friend in San Diego. (This post is a bit belated, but I think this fits the "Male Art" theme.) To avoid any confusion caused by the caption, I am almost completely certain the photo is not of The Blessed Father; it is by The Blessed Father.

The Blessed Father is a fine practitioner as well as representative of Southern California mail-art.  I am always happy to receive work from The Blessed Father as well as liketelevisionsnow and Richard Canard.

[De Villo Sloan]

Good point, Carina.

I saw a legit study in the last few days (where was it?) that men and women perceive colours differently. It's subtle; but there are different colour perceptions, according to the study. I think one of the more pronounced differences involved orange.

[Carina]

First impression (in this case), definitely the color palette! Great work.

[De Villo Sloan]

You probably have some people that are addressing gender roles & stereotypes in mail-art characters they create very consciously. Not many, but Moan Lisa is one. Moan Lisa, in fact, does speak directly about transgender issues. Moan was also DaDa Lovelace. 

I know when you get into the whole transgender & transexual & polysexual thing it gets really complicated. I'm no expert. But that whole world is definitely evident in mail-art in places.

[DKeys]

Do you think for those with androgynous mail art handles, that the perception is different ? Say Superhero's transformation into Moan Lisa?

[De Villo Sloan]

DK, thanks for considering the question. 

So much research in so many fields has been done on gender differences and the creative process that it's overwhelming to try to identify causes, but there does seem to be a difference that can be proven.

I think it is very obvious in mail-art where there are so few restrictions. In vispo, for instance, I've noticed that men tend to create more formal, fragmented, geometric structures. Work by women tends to be more organic, circular, less fragmented, generally.

[DKeys]

Great stuff. I definately see it all has a male perspective--and not just because of the nude. It is interesting to know what makes it so though? is it more left-brained? more yang than yin? is it the color palette? is it more literal? more direct?I sent something very 'feminine' to the middle finger project