COMPILATION BLOG: JF Chapelle (France), RCBz (USA), Roberto (Puerto Rico)

[De Villo Sloan]

Mail-art by IUOMA member JF Chapelle (Merignac, France)

 

September 26, 2011 - JF Chapelle's "No! I prefer Fluxus" has become an instant mail-art classic during the past few months. The above is no doubt familiar to most members of the IUOMA. I liked the postcard-size piece so much I was emboldened to request one from JF. He graciously sent me a copy that includes the eqaully well-known "chance/choice" dichotomy piece that has already inspired new art by Marie Wintzer (Japan). Here is the "B-Side" of "No! I prefer Fluxus":

 

 

JF Chapelle is always working on something interesting, and his blog is always evolving. This is a good place to measure the pulse of Fluxus:

 

http://jfchapelle.blogspot.com/

 

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RCBz is not active on the IUOMA platform, but he is certainly admired in the mail-art network for his high-concept, meticulously produced work. I first became aware there was a West Coast (USA) School of super-sur-realism by reading RCBz's blog. He aligns himself with the West in some important aesthetic ways, but I understand you are more likely to find him in the New York City area when he ventures away from Minnesota. However, I don't think you'll run into RCBz at the dumpster. I had not heard from him in a long time. Then recently this wonderful piece arrived in my mailbox:

 

Mail-art by RCBz (St. Cloud, Minnesota, USA)

 

RCBz seems to be aware of regional news, issues, and history all around the globe. I am hoping Katerina Nikoltsou (Greece) might come across this blog and explain what's up in Macedonia. I sort of lost track of it myself after around 300 BC, give or take a few centuries. For me, the real show stopper is the reverse side of the card:

 

 

Near his signature, RCBz asks: "Asemics or Aquinas?" Certainly there is strikingly beautiful calligraphy on the left-hand side. Through the sometimes hard-fought and misty dialogues of the Asemics 16 Project we learned the definitions of the Asemically Correct: If it is a language ancient modern, extinct or flourishing, that can still be read, it is not asemic writing. If it is a code that can be "cracked," it's not asemic.

 

Asemic writing might show traces of a known language, but it cannot be read in any coherent way: It must be devoid of meaning - that's the point. I am again hoping some blog viewer will assure me this is not Latin or something thereabouts, as I am very, very weak on ancient languages. Again, I think the calligraphy is beautiful, whatever it is, and deeply appreciate receiving this. 

 

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I am enjoying this new recycling wave that seems to come from Trashpo: People are sending their collage scraps (among other things) to each other. These pieces are incorporated into new collage work, also representing collaboaration

 

Roberto of Puerto Rico has become a regular correspondent as the result of our involvement in the Asemics 16 collaborative book project. I sent Roberto some asemic writing scraps along with a recent chapter for the book. He sent me this wonderful piece in return:

 

Mail-art by IUOMA member Roberto (Humacao, Puerto Rico)

 

The textures and colors are incredibly subtle, and the piece represents a synthesis of cultures. The orange paper pieces with red asemic symbols are some of the scraps I sent Roberto. This is a gift indeed to have the work returned in such a beautiful form. He included a very nice note on the reverse side:

 

 

Roberto has been a faithful member of the Asemics 16 Project. He has gained many fans as the result of the work he has produced for the books, although his talents range far beyond asemics. Many thanks to Roberto for this thoughtful gift of mail-art. I look forward to many more exchanges. He has a blog that's getting better all the time:

 

http://pirosmailart.blogspot.com/

 

Best wishes to good friends JF, RCBz and Roberto!

[De Villo Sloan]

RCBz = Really can't beat Zalop?

[cheryl penn]

[De Villo Sloan]

Glad you enjoy these as much as I do!

 

Marie, I don't know what happened to the RCBz blog. I searched for it last night and could not find it. I know you had a link from "Marie's Mailbox."I'll try again at some point. It was way beyond an average blog. I agree, his asemics are beautiful. But I don't know what's up with the Aquinas thing - it makes me recall Richard Canard's Rosetta Stone.

 

And actually, JF brings incredible care and attention to everything too. And Roberto, well, everyone loves his work. How could one lose with this line up?

[Marie Wintzer]

Fantastic collection again! And it's nice that you always give the link to respective blogs to complete your commentary. I didn't know about JF's blog for example. RCBz's Asemic is stunning. It looks like true asemic to me, it doesn't look like any existing language extinct or modern. Almost like the epitome of asemics if there were such a thing. And Roberto's card made with pieces of your work, so beautiful, lucky you as usual.

[De Villo Sloan]

Thank you for explaining Bucephalus, Cheryl. Sometimes the RCBz references are beyond me. He certainly is one who engages with asemics in an interesting way and applies his considerable talent - that's what caught my eye. When I went to look, I couldn't find his blog. I'm not sure what happened; it was an interesting blog.

[cheryl penn]

Great selection of work! RCBz collaborated with me on a book on Alexander the Great - the images were really striking as Alexander wades his way through life - from shoe choice to politics. I'm expecting the most FAB World Town from him Bucephalus - as a rocking horse :-) Who's pushing who??? .  J F Chapelle - a constant favorite, and Roberto - wow as always.  Interesting  blog as always DVS :-) X