NEW DIRECTIONS IN TRASHPO (III) - "Vessels of Love" by Diane Keys +! Mail Art Martha, Eduardo Cardoso, KDJ, Richard Canard, Jeanne Kasten, Neil Gordon, Svenja Wahl, The Blessed Father, Rebecca Guyver

[De Villo Sloan]

Cover of Vessels of Love by Diane Keys: This first full-length Trashpo collection by the undisputed Queen of Trash includes the complete "trashPo Manifesto" and DK's acclaimed collaborations with vispo legend Ficus strangulensis.

February 27, 2013 - MinXus-Lynxus has proudly announced the publication of Vessels of Love by Diane Keys. This book, many months in the making, contains stunning examples of DK's work along with English translations. You will find, for the first time anywhere and all under one cover, the complete "trashPo Manifesto" and collected documentation of the Ficus strangulensis/Diane Keys Shotpo collaborations. 

FREE - SPECIAL LIMITED TIME OFFER! - NO DINERO!

Trash Poets, DKulters, IUOMA Members

FREE DOWNLOAD!

Vessels of Love by Diane Keys

http://www.scribd.com/MinXusLynxus

ADD THIS TIMELESS D-KLASSIC TO YOUR PERSONAL LIBRARY!

Mail-art by Diane Keys (Elgin, Illinois, USA)

 Mail-art by Diane Keys (Elgin Illinois, USA)

And the reverse:       

Deepest thanks to DK!

Trashpo by Mail Art Martha (London, England)

Trashpo by Mail Art Martha (London, England)

The legendary Mail Art Martha of London sent me an envelope of her wonderful art. She works with found material, so it is very likely she was making Trashpo long before Jim Leftwich (Virginia, USA) introduced the Trashpo concept in the Eternal Network circa 2005. Certainly this work by Mail Art Martha, constructed upon a rain-spattered envelope that was rescued from total decomposition, exhibits a rare talent and ingenious mind.

 

From IUOMA postings, I learned that Mail Art Martha is known for her “Trash Trolley,” which she wheels gallantly to numerous locations. Certainly it has a utilitarian function, yet the trolley must surely bring art out of the galleries and institutions and “to the people,” as they say. It must help Mail-Art Martha challenge accepted notions of what is art and stimulate thought about the relationship between art and life. 

Note received from Mail Art Martha (London)

I think her envelope is lovely:

And the reverse:

.

Many thanks to Mail Art Martha!

D-Kabbalistic mail-art from Eduardo Cardoso (Sines, Portugal)

Visual poetry by Eduardo Cardoso (Sines, Portugal)

TrashPo Litzer Prize winner Eduardo Cardoso is a versatile artist and visual poet who seems always eager to challenge himself and his audience. He has sent several extraordinary missives during the past few months, including the material posted here that mainly concerns DKult. The opening scan (above) is one of Eduardo Cardoso’s signature minimalist visual poems. 

Mail-art by Eduardo Cardoso (Sines, Portugal)

This DKult stamp uses the Fluxus network stamp as a basis for the design.

Here is the reverse:

In addition to the red stamp shown above, Eduardo is a master of cryptic stamps and symbols, which can be seen on the envelope he sent:

And on the other side:

Many thanks to Eduardo Cardoso! Make sure to visit his amazing site!

http://eduardocardoso.weebly.com/

KDJ "The Disappeared" (Orlando, Florida, USA) - She's "out there"

Mail-art by KDJ (Orlando, Florida, USA)

Some IUOMA members might recall that once upon a time there was a promising mail-artist from Florida named KDJ. Her work ranged from lovely artists books to edgy Trashpo. KDJ, at one point, was deeply involved in DKult. Then last year she joined the ranks of “The Disappeared.”

Originally relegated to my “Crank File,” I decided that it is best to share this communication from KDJ with her few remaining fans. The card arrived circa Halloween 2012. It is authentic. KDJ – while officially among “The Disappeared” – had clearly been reading our humble MinXus-Lynxus blog and took exception to several entries that mentioned her:

The quotes she has chosen have been pulled out of context, wildly distorted, and thus might seem to you far more hurtful than ever intended. Without conducting a long search, I do recall comparing KDJ to a “one hit wonder” (is that not really a flattering comparison?). In the end, to speak in terms of the beliefs of the DKulters, we will all be called to The Great Landfill where we will walk with Ray and HE will end the perplexity of The Great Confusion here on earth, or so some believe. Did I say KDJ’s work has been “relegated to the landfill”? Perhaps I did BUT what about “moldy grapes”? We cannot remember a thing about “moldy grapes.”

I am very pleased to know that KDJ is not completely among “The Disappeared.” Perhaps someday she will return completely to the Eternal Network. It would be a great privilege to welcome her back.

CorresponDANCE from Richard Canard (Carbondale, Illinois, USA)

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

Mail-art veteran Richard Canard has, among many other achievements, had a hand in shaping Trashpo as we know it today. He is a very faithful correspondent and usually sends along some interesting found material that goes well with the literary gems he seems to produce effortlessly and prolifically. I adore this Moosehead Beer piece that is part of a holiday material as well as classic Trashpo.

Richard Canard is a tremendous resource about the history and culture of mail-art, and he is a terrific correspondent.

As ever, my deepest thanks to Richard.

Trashpo noir from Jeanne Kasten (Olathe, Kansas, USA)

“TrashPo Study in Black and White” by Jeanne Kasten (Olathe, Kansas, USA)

This work by Jeanne Kasten is a superb, open field composition that juxtaposes a variety of found texts. Numerous narratives and chance association metaphors are possible. One can also note disruptions, contradictions, and fragmentation. For no particular reason, I like the Lindsey Buckingham concert ticket.

All in all, in my humble estimation, “TrashPo Study in Black and White” is a compelling work.

And the reverse:

Many thanks to new friend Jeanne Kasten!

Neil Gordon (Wethersfield, Connecticut, USA)

Mail-art by Neil Gordon (Wethersfield, Connecticut, USA)

Neil Gordon frequently works in the Trashpo genre. He sent (above) an advertisement page torn from the venerable New Yorker magazine with scribbled cryptic writing that – well-known to initiates – represents the complex symbolism of D-Kult. You see references to Wilhelm Reich’s theories that inform at least some part of DKult: orgone energy and Reich’s bizarre cloud-busting experiments to control weather.

This is classic Trashpo composed on a piece of some kind of of cereal-energy-chocolate bar box. Neil has arranged bits of found material to create a new text. Here is the reverse side:

The language component is more pronounced on this side. Neil Gordon’s style is grounded in DaDa and the later, related Punk aesthetic that has had such an impact on mail-art. He has a clear understanding of the Trashpo concept going back to Jim Leftwich. 

And the reverse:

I am very pleased to receive this work from friend and correspondent Neil Gordon.

Shades of "Creature of the Month" from Svenja Wahl (Heidelberg, Germany)

Mail-art by Svenja Wahl (Heidelberg, Germany)

Faithful correspondent Svenja Wahl sent this absolutely stellar example of her highly distinctive collage work. This piece is relatively large: approx. 8.5 X 11 inches. I am guessing the cardboard upon which it is composed was chosen for the lush and wonderful red. 

The box also had strings secured, which must have held something, perhaps during the past holiday season. Svenja left the strings so the piece has a fiber art component and is also haptic. The strings are rubber band-like. Dark wall declares they play notes when plucked, and this piece is actually a musical instrument. 

Svenja has a feature she posts at Yoma called “Creature of the Month.” Using her collage talents, she has created a menagerie of absurd, humorous, frightening, appalling, surreal, exotic, fantastic creatures that defy description.

Make sure to visit Svenja Wahl’s blog to see more fantastic art!

License to Ill - The Blessed Father (San Diego, California, USA) joins the Trashpo All-Stars

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

What a treat to receive my first mail-art from The Blessed Father! While his work might not be Trashpo in the Diane Keys or Jim Leftwich sense, I doubt anyone would disagree The Blessed Father is a Trashpo master in a larger sense; perhaps he has even broadened and enriched the genre.

I have not taken much interest in mail order quacks and preachers since the days of Dr. Wilhelm Reich and his orgone products and the Church of the Sub Genius. However, The Blessed Father has captured my attention and admiration.

Many thanks to The Blessed Father. I look forward to establishing a regular correspondence as soon as things settle down a bit!

Meditative Trashpo by Rebecca Guyver (Suffolk, UK)

Mail-art by Rebecca Guyver (Suffolk, UK)

Rebecca Guyver sent along this very colourful Trashpo that also includes some meditations about language and insights:

I will add, to connect the two themes in Miss Becca’s message, that Trashpo differs from merely “found art”  because of the importance of textuality and language: ties that can be made to poetry.

A belated thanks to Miss Becca!

[De Villo Sloan]

DK - Step up to the Silver Microphone" - like Nevermind always says. Where is he on this Glorious Day?

Rebecca - you remind me that great thanks are due to the venerable recluse Ficus strangulensis for lending his genius & blessing to such a stumbling effort.

"Wonderful," "Amazing," indeed. When I first began the gigantic task of editing Diane's Trashpo (I shall at least be remembered as the humble scribe), I found myself often, literally convulsing in laughter over things like "Demand that babysitters owe money now."

Then a strange thing began to happen. I am being very serious here. I began reading the work and thinking more and more: "This stuff is really, really good." And so, like you, I stand in awe of her work & am pleased to share with trash poets & kulters. 

And of course there are the others who have contributed the primo work too.

[DKeys]

two trashhounds abound!!!! may your doggie find you buried treasure

[Rebecca Guyver]

Brilliant work DVS.  Have downloaded the book (allowing FB to pimp etc) and gotta admit it is another WONDERFUL, AMAZING collaboration! DKULT, DKULT.  Am even excited to be off to walk the dog in semi-inclement weather in case I happen upon anything that might go into my own trashpo!

[DKeys]

pout, not put, although I plan to PUT some mail art in the mail today

[DKeys]

Wow! nice blog--you've been busy. I'm jealous that you receive more trashpo than Dkult and I plan to put about it. Fantastic stuff. Eduardo's art reminds me of the pieces I receive from Japan--stripped down like a concise poem

gotta love all this upcycled trash!!!