RECEIVED: Marie Wintzer Returns as Mail-Art Psychick? + A Mi(n)xed Message (Wakoshi, Japan)

[De Villo Sloan]

Mail-art by IUOMA member Marie Wintzer (Wakoshi, Japan)

 

September 30, 2011 - Marie Wintzer is widely admired in the network for her wonderful and consistent sense of aesthetics. I also value her greatly as a friend because I think she is an incredible concept (conceptual) artist.

 

Recently, I received an envelope from her containing these carefully folded chance/choice pieces. I have not opened them. I assume there are written messages inside. You will notice seven of them say "chance" and one says "choice." Am I being steered to open "choice"? 

 

This mail-art has a history that defines the concept. Like me, I know Marie recently received a "chance/choice" card from Fluxus artist JF Chapelle:

 

I am fairly certain JF's piece has inspired Marie to explore the chance/choice concept. She also recently posted this beautiful photo at the IUOMA:

AND Marie enjoys visiting Japanese shrines and collecting fortunes for her friends, perhaps an extension of chance/choice. 

 

A few IUOMA members might still recall that I ran a blog feature called "Mail-Art Psychic." Here is an example of this (now discontinued) feature from December 27, 2010:

 

MAIL-ART PSYCHIC

Nine muses after dieting. Visit someone.  Pond denizen.

 

Mail-art color of the day: Citrine

 

 

The prophecy biz proved to be a lot of work. So I invited various IUOMA friends to serve as "Guest Mail-Art Psychic." As I recall, Marie was very excited about filling the position. For reasons too complex to explain here, it did not go well. In fact, Marie's service as guest psychic was the impetus that led to the elimination of the feature. I think perhaps this chance/choice mail-art represents a desire to return to the glory days of the Mail-Art Psychic. But, alas, it is not to be. All the same, many thanks to Marie for this intriguing mail-art!

 

[De Villo Sloan]

I was thinking more of a weasel. Or weaselle. DK has got me using the Urban Dictionary. Turns out a Minx isn't a cunning but cute little field mouse. A minx is a person. So I don't know where that leaves us, but I thought this was funny:

 

Minx	649 up, 72 down
	Minx: Cheeky or mischievous girl. "You are such a minx!" buy minx mugs & shirts by Cuddly MinX Mar 31, 2005 share this add a video
2.	Minx	487 up, 49 down
	A cheeky, flirtatious, mischevious girl "She's such a saucy little minx" buy minx mugs & shirts saucy flirt cheeky mischevious mynx  by Christina1234 May 5, 2006 share this add a video
3.	minx	316 up, 203 down

[cheryl penn]

Are they related to Chinchilla's? That was also a historical thing :-) X

[cheryl penn]

Minx :-))) - good one! :-) XXX

[De Villo Sloan]

I mean "International Chick of Mystery."

[De Villo Sloan]

Cheryl, you've had this year-in-review thing going at the IUOMA. This has brought nostalgia and reflection on where one has been and where one is going, artistically speaking. In this light, however, mail-art history might be a bit different for Sweet Pea "International Chick of History."

 

I mentioned once in these cold climes where I am there are rodents called Minks that are highly valued for their skins, or pelts. And thinking of creatures like this, I suddenly thought of the word MINX and wondered if it is related to these crafty little creatures.

[cheryl penn]

OK - or not :-)) - after the last one perhaps more not!

[cheryl penn]

Push fate - it may be worth it????

[De Villo Sloan]

No way. Have you ever heard of Pandora's Box? And I notice CB is suddenly absent. She stole my holes and bandages and is off to Prague I suppose. I'm turning this case over to Dw. Thanks for your comment - the blog kinda goes nowhere.

[cheryl penn]

So what are you going to do?????? Any sign of #63??  EEEEK!!! :-) XXX