Religion and Politics??

[Susan McAllister]

I know that in polite society we aren't supposed to discuss religion and politics, and I have no intention of delving into the religion thing, but politics - well, maybe.

I am curious about political mail art. I've seen some, but rarely make it. Not because it offends me but because I don't really know how to integrate the two very well. And I wonder if some people might be offended by receiving it.

I suspect there is a long history of political mail art, but I don't know where to find about it. DVS, might you be a source of info about this?

Anyone, jump in and tell me what you think. Are you into to it? Ot hate it?

[De Villo Sloan]

[De Villo Sloan]

RES, lampooning or subverting another mail artist's work happens. Here is a piece by Grigori Antonin lampooning me. It really never has never bothered me, but you need to be very careful before engaging in people in this way. It can get out of control. I am with Dan. Those of us who have been here for a while have seen some serious disputes arise among members. It can carry over into the art. Respect and mutual support seem to work best.

[Dan Mouer]

Nice to "meet" you, res. Welcome to IUOMA. I am guessing your question is mostly a rhetorical one: nobody wants to be lampooned unless it is done in good fun, but lampooning in general is certainly in the spirit of mail art. I will say that there have been veryfew flame wars on the Eternal Network in the few years I have been involved with it, but at least one I can think of has led to hard feelings and the loss of some members. I don't think anyone is happier for that. My guess is that there is no harm no foul in incorporating-appropriating someone else's work to make friendly critique, or to illustrate how and why someone's work might be offensive. But meeting offense with offense is the likely fuel of a flame war, and IMHO produces lots of heat and little light.

[Susan McAllister]

Dan, it was very kind of you to check my profile to ensure you weren't going to offend my sensibilities. However, it's actually fairly difficult to offend my sensibilities. It is possible, but you'd have to work at it. I find nothing offensive about your print. It is gorgeous. For future reference nekkid people harpooning politicians would be quite welcome, as well. Thank you.

[Valentine Mark Herman]

Ana: What does the @ in '@Val' mean????

DM: 'Burster' with 2 r's?

[Dan Mouer]

Astrophysics Series #4: Gamma Burster. Monoprint, Mixed media. 11x15"

For Susan.

[Dan Mouer]

I have just put the finishing touches on a piece that will become outgoing mail-art tomorrow. Since I "owe" something nice to you, Susan, I thought I would check your profile and blog to make sure I am not sending anything that might upset your sensibilities. So now I think I'm pretty safe. My piece is about the Heavens (part of an ongoing :"Astrophysics Series" of monoprints), but there are no angels there. However, there are some mildly exploited glimpses of a youthful, angelic heavenly body. Happens to be a femmy-looking female at that, with the expected gender-identifying attributes exhibited more prominently than others. No politics involved in this one, though there are times I certainly cannot help but make a commentary on the devilish Neanderthalishness of those whose ideals of a well-run world are much different from my own.

So, my piece for you is rather mainstream. No nuns were harmed nor were any ideologies harpooned. Just the usual art stuff: colors, textures, and an attractive nekkid woman. I am quite open to producing similar pieces with nekkid men, unattractive people of all sexual categories and orientations, and even multitudes of the nekkid people harpooning politicians and flaming nuns. Just so long as the results are also "fun," broadly speaking, to look at.  Hope you like it and are not offended. Photo preview to come...

[Ana Karina]

@Val, No.

[vizma bruns]

Ana or Austin need to start an atheist group called the Flaming Nuns, ha ha!

I love your new outfit, Ana !

DO the art and show us, Austin! Sorry we've gone off the rails a bit here, Susan. ;-)

[Valentine Mark Herman]

Ana: KEEP your photo, but please drop this @ nonsense!