New vispo using the fe-mail art concept by Moan Lisa (Des Moines, Iowa, USA)

[De Villo Sloan]

Mail-art by IUOMA member Moan Lisa (Des Moines, Iowa, USA)

June 16, 2014 - This month Moan Lisa issued a mailing of several hundred items, and I was fortunate to receive as part of this effort an envelope of breath-taking visual poetry built around the fe-mail art concept. Similar work by Moan Lisa, including collabs, has been circulating in the digital realm lately. I have to admit that having these spectacular hard copies for perusal and archival purposes is a great benefit and adds a new dimension to experiencing the work.

The piece above is the largest, a lush digital photo measuring approximately 8.5 x 11 inches. The colors pop, and the detail is exquisite. While using a visual poetry construct focused on the image of a woman and fashion, Moan Lisa integrates asemic writing and concrete poetry seamlessly into the work.

The piece above measures approximately 3 x 5 inches. In these pieces, Moan Lisa appropriates fragments of vispo by friends in the network. I believe this constitutes a form of quoting and homage; it also enables Moan to play with the materiality of language. The asemic symbols in the gown, I think, are appropriated from Carl Baker (Canada). The work of other mail-artists is present in these pieces as well.

This piece also measures approximately 3 x 5 inches. Moan Lisa interrogates fashion: Andy Warhol’s early commercial fashion work comes to mind. A cultural studies theorist could easily propose that these pieces explore the colonization and commodification of women’s bodies. Images of fashion and the constant reminder of mediation through language and symbols adds a postmodern depth to the work.

This stamp was included on the envelope. Moan Lisa’s fe-mail art call is ongoing online and via snail mail.

Deepest thanks to Moan Lisa for sending this FAB work!

[De Villo Sloan]

thx Amy. I shouldn't speculate. Thought I saw one of your textile pieces in there. Just saw someone commenting on a Halston/Warhol show in NYC & it made me think of Moan's use of fashion in these.

In a distant IUOMA skirmish - very not in the spirit of mail-art - a very excellent visual poet became critical of Moan over the composition of the vispo - lack of unity. If that actually were ever the case, and I never saw it myself in those earlier pieces, Moan has & is making tremendous strides, IMHO.

[Amy Irwen]

Love thses! I am not recognizing any of the fabric. Moan's work is truly exceptional *!*

[Rebecca Guyver]

Love it all! Only two more days in schools and I will begin sending again.  But I have to admit that so much has been said I may lose my voice!  Great stuff.

[De Villo Sloan]

Thanks, PP. Moan used a lot of my concrete poetry in these ;) to great benefit I think. I'm sure I recognize a piece of Carl Baker's asemics. Some of the fabric background in frame #3 might be by Amy Irwen. I think I recognize that from somewhere. There might be more. Moan is truly an appropriation artist.

[Petrolpetal]

Sensational indeed