Rare vintage DKult Trashpo recruitment brochure by Diane Keys (Elgin, Illinois, USA) + MinXus & DKulTX mail-art by Borderline Grafix (Austin, Texas, USA)

[De Villo Sloan]

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

June 2, 2012 - Not since the glory days of the Church of the Subgenius has so much network effort on the part of numerous individuals gone into the promotion of a cult, which might be better described as a fan club or an alternative culture lifestyle or a devoted art practice. DKulters are, in fact, simply artists and writers who make Trashpo.

Friends know and are very likely excited beyond comprehension that I have discovered a box of hitherto undocumented mail-art in the dark recesses of the Overlook Hotel. This pamphlet by Diane Keys, aka DK the Queen of Trash, is among the finds.

Diane Keys’ adherence to the tenets of Trashpo is impeccable. Recycling is a core concept. Here she has taken a religious/motivational brochure and altered it to serve the greater glory of DKult.

Miles of comment threads have already been devoted to discussion of both the practical and theoretical nature of Trashpo. For example, the aesthetic vs. anti-art debate is far from resolved. I observe that among DKulters especially, the hardcore members of the larger Trashpo impulse, that the collection of material, creation, and distribution becomes a spiritual practice. This is an integration of life and art.

Many Trashpoets seem to believe that their work is hardly a random process. They write about channelling divine messages and integrating themselves with a harmonic collective consciousness. Diane Keys advocates a healthy lifestyle, a diet free of synthetic food (one of her favourite issues), work discipline, participatory and alternative culture, and even an alternative to E-conomy: the D-Konomy.

The reverse side:

I am thrilled to document and add this D-Klassic to the archives.

Mail-art by IUOMA member Borderline Grafix (Austin, Texas, USA)

Borderline Grafix (aka Biggy G) applied his considerable talents to tailor this special work for the MinXus-Lynxus blog. He has certainly been able to penetrate to the heart of the MinXus aesthetic very quickly.

While the artwork is exemplary, the themes address more important subjects (to MinXus) such as hair and skin care, especially in hot, dry climates. Hardly obsolete, the photo of Ingrid Bergman and her daughter offers many guidelines if one were to visit, say, Ethiopia.

Specifically, Borderline Grafix turns our attention to the wonders of Mink Oil. At MinXus-Lynxus, we perpetually extol the use of Mink Oil on shoes, boots, skin, pets and as a dietary supplement. In fact, Mink Oil is an all-purpose cure all "for whatever ails you" in our humble estimation. But be warned Tender Foots, all mink oil is not the same.

A recent line of mail-art by Borderline Grafix does appear to have been issued from Ethiopia rather than his home base of Austin, Texas. I never enquired about his trip, and perhaps we will learn more about it, as it must have been very exciting and have interesting tales attached.

Many, many thanks Borderline Grafix for this genuinely MinXus work. His versatility is further revealed in another piece recently received, and we are back to the topic of Trashpo:

Mail-art by Borderline Grafix (Austin, Texas, USA)

The Trashpo community is well-aware, and there is much excitement, about the formation of a Texas DKult chapter, thanks to the efforts of Borderline Grafix. Indeed, we are thrilled to welcome DKulTX to the distinguished roster that includes: DKULTNY (New York), DKULTFLA (Florida), DKULTME (Maine), DKULTNOCAL (Northern California), DKUNST (Germany), among others.

DKulTX is already showing signs of having a very distinctive identity in DKult, bringing new ideas and innovation. We look forward to watching the evolution of genuine Texas Trashpo.

Again, thanks to Diane Keys and Borderline Grafix for some fantastic mail-art!

[De Villo Sloan]

Great! I'm looking forward to it.

[WA Rodgers]

Yes, I'm pretty psyched about this to tweak my method of making...Thanks, DVS!

[De Villo Sloan]

WA Rodgers, I have to tell you, I really like the work you have been posting at the IUOMA. I was thrilled to see you in the Trashpo group because I'd like to see what happens when you apply your own unique style & aesthetic to the Trashpo concept. It's basically working with found material, which I'm sure you figured out.

Thanks for the comment. DKult is fun.

[WA Rodgers]

Wow, DVS, I cannot think of a better introduction to this group!