A Letter of Frustration

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Dear De Villo Sloan,

 

You have been a great mentor for me over these past few months, while i've been exploring new territories in art; and gave me a great amount of encouragement when i was at the end of my rope trying to deal with the whole asemics charade. And when i started the whole zombie thing, you were right there, pushing me forward. I'd done none of it without your help. I've since spent near to our limit in credit on one of our cards in order to promote FREE ART, which you helped me to start; it was in fact as much your inspiration as mine. I have held you in nothing but the highest respect since you started conversing with me on here - and i have been, IMHO, a very loyal student to you.

 

As i told you before, the world needs people like you who give encouragement, because it is filled with far too many discouragers, who want to stop new things from evolving. and cut them down before they have a chance to grow.

 

But i won't play your roundabout political games.

i won't hide in private messages and block comments;

as i stated in the thread last night, i am very much about openness.

that has been what pushing boundaries in art has given me,

the ability to expose myself and my words, for better or for worse

to public scrutiny.

 

i don't know what your beef is,

that you feel you need to block my comments suddenly-

i don't know what line you think i've crossed,

or what words i've said to offend you,

but i feel i'm owed an explanation.

i've put far too much energy into you

to let you just close up shop to me like this.

[DKeys]

BYOT  -bring your own trash,   ah hem, sorry, pre-owned found objects is the politcally correct term

we supply the SASGB  self addressed stamped garbage bag TM  (SH)

[1cgqtuoblpeqc]

admission is free,

as long as you have an ID.

 

[DKeys]

SH, the cool kids are all hangin at the dumpster

[1cgqtuoblpeqc]

ok.

 

i just needed to have it clarified that you do indeed have a circle of friends,

and that you have decided to exclude me from that circle.

 

that is all.

[DKeys]

we live in public therefore our fictitious selves become a refuge we are who we pretend to be

[De Villo Sloan]

SH, I really feel like you've forced me into a dialog that I have no interest in pursuing. I am one of close to 1900 IUOMA members. I do not understand why I have to answer to things in public that appear to be accusations. I DO believe there is a line between private and public, and some things are better-settled privately. Alright let me address your concerns:

 

1) IUOMA and NING give me the option to moderate my blog postings. I have chosen to moderate my blog and when I deem it appropriate I do delete comments. If this doesn't square with some political view you have, all I can say is - I have rights too. You have many other places at IUOMA to state your viewpoints. I believe in a collective such as this, the rights and preferences of individuals should be honored too. Otherwise, it just becomes another manifestation of fascism. Many people here moderate their blogs. I am far from the first to press the delete button too. Are we going to have to start writing blog policy statements and disclaimers? 

 

2) My real circle of friends all know who Dark wall is. I even contacted many of them to make sure they knew. Dark wall is my 13 year-old-son. I have access to his account and use it. There are many people here who have multiple accounts with different names. Again, why single me out? Some people go so far as to set up mailboxes in other countries and have elaborate mail-forwarding service set-ups so they can invent imaginary characters. This is the nature of mail-art. There is an aspect to it that is games and having fun. And if you'll notice, what Dark wall does mostly is have fun with his close friends who all know who is. Jesus. can I have some fun with my friends without a public trial? Respectfully - maybe you should try learning a little bit about the history and culture of mail-art.

 

I also use Dark wall to post artwork that I am insecure about posting under my own name because, like everyone else, I'm not always confident about my talent. So thanks - by proxy - by bringing my artwork into the spotlight and my own insecurities as an indivual. Much appreciated.

 

3) Yes - I was supportive of your Free Art Movement, and I still very much admire you for it. But if you check my record, I've been supportive of many people and many projects here. There is a huge misunderstanding if you think I have any stake or role in your movement. I never saw it that way. I'm a member of your group and I will participate when I feel I have something to contribute. Truthfully, I have so many other things going - Free Art isn't a top priority. Again, individual responsibility - you chose to take leadership. I never agreed to any sort of partnership. And I DO have serious partnerships with other people here. And this - it seems like a Witch Hunt - if this is what the Free Art Movement is about - no thanks.

 

Insinuating or including me in some kind of rant about how you maxed out your credit card. Man, that is fucked. And I certainly do not appreciate it. I have never even spoken to you about your finances or how you fund your work and your movement. Again, this is a matter of individual responsibility - you have to manage your own finances, which I know nothing about. There are many resources available to you elsewhere to learn about managing your personal finances. Folks - I know nothing about this guys credit card, nor do I want to.

 

OK SH? We're both part of the eternal network so I hope we can co-exist. I have to tell you - in my involvement in mail-art, I've never seen a situation like this - where it appears someone is trying to force some political agenda on someone or outing them in public for God know what obscure offenses. People here have all kinds of diverse beliefs and practices. Live and let live seems to work.

 

OK, SH? This will have to do it. Because I don't really have time to engage in a lengthy dialog about things tha

[Katerina Nikoltsou (MomKat)]

ohhhhh...cat's out of the bag, DW!

[De Villo Sloan]

[1cgqtuoblpeqc]

i should have used the force to foresee this.

[1cgqtuoblpeqc]

it has been brought to my attention that dark wall and DVS are the same person.

that explains a lot.