FluxFish by Melissa Wand +! A&P by Carmen Kennedy w/adds by Celestial Scribe, Introverted Post

[De Villo Sloan]

Mail art by IUOMA member Melissa Wand (Wausau, Wisconsin, USA)

 

August 30, 2019 - In this New Order of mail art, Fluxus is another facet of network history that is enjoying renewed interest. Melissa Wand’s FluxFish project captures the spirit of the “Old Fluxus” and translates it into an activity coherent in the 21st century.

The Fluxus movement of the 1960s and 70s – most commonly associated with visual and performance art – embraced, practiced and encouraged mail art perhaps second only in fervor to Ray Johnson (who was associated with Fluxus but not a member). Many mail art conventions we take for granted today have their origin in Fluxus, including – for one – the emphasis on collage. In the alternative culture of the Eternal Network, Fluxus concepts continue unabated.

Melissa Wand – as far as I know – is a newcomer to the network. Whether by knowledge or intuition, Melissa Wand created a project that fits the Fluxus spirit perfectly.

The FluxFish are accompanied with instructions. The card (below) is essentially an Event Score – the Event Score being one of the most common Fluxus artifacts – that gives the recipient instructions and brings a performance component into mail art exchange. The origami-inspired fish made of shredded envelopes are Fluxus friendly as well: They are a creative activity accessible to everyone and have an element of anti-art.

 

 

 

Mail art by Melissa Wand (Wausau, Wisconsin, USA)

 

Melissa Wand also included an Add & Pass sheet started by Carmen Kennedy (Austin, Texas, USA). Note adds have been made so far by The Celestial Scribe (Brazil) and The Introverted Post (Ohio, USA).

 

 

Mail art by IUOMA member Carmen Kennedy (Austin, Texas, USA)

 

 

 

[Melissa Wand]

I didn't see this post until today as I don't log in frequently. Thanks for the nice little write up you did, especially the info about the fluxus movement. Nicely done! I'm glad to have confirmation that my little fish project fits the fluxus mode. --That's what I was going for!

[Carmen Kennedy]

Thanks again, D. for posting this. I have sent out over 150 Add and Passes over the last six months and have only received two back, so, it is always fun to see one on its journey. Also, love the Flux Fish by Melissa. I had a lot of fun decorating a couple of the fish.