RECEIVED: Mail-Art from Kurt Schwitters (FAKE) by Frieder Speck (Munchen, Germany)

[De Villo Sloan]

Fake Kurt Schwitters mail-art by IUOMA member Frieder Speck (Munchen, Germany)

 

July 12, 2011 - I expect the fake John Bennett grocery lists. I expect the fake Diane Keys Chunk-O-Skunks. I expect fake Grigori Antonin postcards. I did not expect to receive mail-art from collage-hero Kurt Schwitters - and also my first mail-art from a dead person (because Grigori's was fake).  Frieder included a note on the reverse side:

 

 

Well, that wordplay is greatly appreciated and interesting. Also included is what I believe is a fake note from Kurt Schwitters; it's hard to read in person and not much improved with a scan. This is to be expected because it is meant to be antique, and the retro quality of this is impressive:

 

 

I do think this is a fantastic piece and greatly appreciate it. Kids, with this new wave of fakes circulating, yeah, it's probably best to identify your fakes as such, especially since these things are now turning up on a ebay. People there don't always know about the tradition of hoaxes in the mail-art world. Lord forbid there was a misunderstanding in the realm of commerce involving the exchange of cashpo for trashpo (and any taxation tagged on).

 

I witnessed myself the horror and embarrassment caused by the fake Ray Johnson episode in Japan last year. The carelessness of one irresponsible artist can cause measureless heartache for innocents who believe they have received mail-art from a hero and have to learn of his death several decades ago through crudity and a complete lack of sensitivity. Frieder Speck also included a photo of some wonderful asemic writing:

 

 

I am very much enjoying working with Frieder on the Asemics 16 project and look forward to many more mail-art exchanges.

[De Villo Sloan]

He left Frieder. He commands an army of monkeys. Be careful

[Frieder Speck]

He is no Iuoma member is he? First I have to save greece, than maybe I try to stop him. So many projects...

[De Villo Sloan]

The coin machine sounds cool. Personally, I think the mail-artist Grigori Antonin is trying to overthrow the government of Minnesota. I've warned people, but no one would listen.

[Frieder Speck]

I found a machine where it might be possible to make coins but I´m still working on it I think its only possible to "print" one side. Flux cents might not help Minnesota? 

[De Villo Sloan]

And Frieder - if you're there - yes, if you make Flux kits or Fluxus bucks. The day we talked, I had posted real US currency because I found some in the street. I didn't want anyone to think I was asking them to mail me any sort of real currency. But the various fake currencies in mail-art are fascinating. Strelnikov (Colorado) just issued a new run of fake US-Chinese currency. The potential for political-economic commentary is huge. BTW, the Republic of Minnesota has collapsed. I never thought seceding from the US was a wise idea. Send your mail-art friends in Minnesota your Fluxus Bucks!

[De Villo Sloan]

GA was a one-hit-blunder. Shoe fly!

[De Villo Sloan]

Grigster = Lounge Lizard. Do the Ray Johnson classics over and over.

[De Villo Sloan]

Maybe Frieder has the cover band syndrome you see in music: He thinks we love his covers of Kurt Schwitters but don't want to hear his originals. Frieder is NOT a lounge lizard of mail-art. No.

[Nancy Bell Scott]

I barely know you, Frieder, but believe me, I see all your art as genuine and absolutely love it -- before the Schwitters piece, during the Schwitters piece, and after the Schwitters piece.   The folded piece that Cheryl posted below is highly original and stunning.

[De Villo Sloan]

Frieder left me a message about "being taken seriously." I think it was just a translation glitch. However, we love your art Frieder! We take you seriously!