Can I call it a collaboration if I am sent things and I respond? Simon Warren and Rebecca Guyver's 'Wonderful as only home' book.

[Rebecca Guyver]

Simon Warren has been sending me copious shirt card-boards of writing - memories of Tring, trains, England, himself all in his characteristic handwriting, looping prose. I've labeled Simon's words 'experimental writing' as I tagged the posts.  I have been posting this wonderful gift on my blog and gathering the pages for upcoming exhibitions for 25 years of IUOMA (Memories are Made of This).

I've been interested to see what constitutes a memory as they've come in. I've only sent one in myself (to my daughter in Edinburgh - I can't bring myself to mail myself something) and it was both abstract and literal. 

I have never met Simon and I guess I realise I can't be sure at all of what is real and what is play and what is symbolic in mail art in general and with Simon in particular. It challenges my idea of reality and realism. Interesting!

Since being a member of IUOMA the only 'pure' collaborations I have taken part in have been through Cheryl Penn- A Vispo book  (orchestrated jointly with De Villo Sloan) and I've sent and received her zines and books.  But I also feel responding is collaborating on some level. I respond when I send things into MinXus Lynxus, but I guess that is more a dialogue in the same way we receive and blog and send out work at IUOMA everyday. Sarah Churchill sent me a great pub book about what they do in Welsh pubs in response to a card I sent her, etc...That was fun and great, but again it was a response more than a collab, I guess.

So I guess I have answered my own question... this isn't a collab either because I have simply illustrated/responded to Simon's writing by making some 'automatic collages' sparked by his words.  It was a satisfying process and I'd like to do more but what does a 'real collaboration' between two artists look like? What are the steps? Is it managed, agreed on?

I have uploaded the book to google docs and you can see it here: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B3g5q7Qjx55QaXZrbFBoMnpHekU/edit?us...

[Pamela Gerard]

Wonderful! Really enjoyed seeing/reading this. Looks great.

[Rebecca Guyver]

All this positive feedback is making me smile! Huge thanks to you all!

[vizma bruns]

Rebecca, this is just wonderful!

I think Simon (I don't actually know him, nor have we exchanged mail) would be honoured to be a part of this work. I'd call it a (real) collab for sure... but I really like your questions. "Is it agreed on" ? So much to think about here.

[Rebecca Guyver]

Thanks DVS, typical of me to over-think things! Delighted that you (s) think I haven't sabotaged his work!

[De Villo Sloan]

Great book with a very thoughtful write up, Rebecca. I'm with Amy that I think the present condition is a RG/SW collab similar in process to Kerri 's & Guido's recent effort. I don't think you have to worry so much about how to classify it, though.

[Rebecca Guyver]

Amy, thanks for your kind words! This arrived from Simon yesterday.  I've scanned it and am just about to layer (draw) something on top of the scan.  I realise that when you don't really know someone, meaning is a confusing thing and misrepresentation more than a little possible!

[Amy Irwen]

Rebecca...this is definately a collaboration! and very beautiful!!!

Cheers to you and Simon....

hugs *!*