Received: Mailart collage and Barbie (k)not from Helene Lagache (Bordeaux, France)

[De Villo Sloan]

August 28, 2010 - Helene Lagache sent me a very carefully assembled mailart package that represents the continuation of a somewhat fragmented conversation we've been having. When I first joined the IUOMA several months ago, I saw her beautiful mailart collages and was drawn to their vibrant colors, use of repetition, and ripped paper technique. I sent her a piece of concept art (other recipients Julian Grant and J.F. Chapelle). This Fluxus-inspired bag contained the arm of a Barbie doll from WalMart holding a turquoise shoelace accompanied by the instruction: "Helene Fix My Shoe." In response, she has sent me a plasticized assemblage of vispo collages laced together with a pink ribbon and intricately knotted. I saw my role in the exchange as undoing the knot and liberating Helene's work. I have now given the ribbon to a new Barbie arm, perhaps continuing the series:

I really like the clarity and space in the piece above, as well as the arrangement of the words in patterns not immediately apparent.

This is a true visual-verbal piece that gives me a greater appreciation of Helene's range. I see what appears to be the use of stamped letters, textual alteration using the cross-out method to locate words inside of words, and a nod to classical concretism with the diamond shapes. I'm especially thrilled to see her apply her rip-style to a page of text, which gives me some ideas.

I consider Helene a wonderful IUOMA friend, and I hope she wants to keep the dialogue going. She has a blog where she posts mailart received as well other interesting work by artists she knows:

http://atelierpostal.over-blog.com/

[Hélène LAGACHE]

You are too kind!