Representational Trashbook by Marni Webber (Oak Harbor, Washington State, USA)

[De Villo Sloan]

Mail-art by IUOMA member Marni Webber (Oak Harbor, Washington, USA)

November 2, 2014 - For a first exchange, Marni Webber sent me a delicate, stitched, transparent, interactive booklet. The piece is very small: Perhaps 4 x 3 inches at the longest points. I have looked at some of Marni Webber’s work online, and this piece is characteristic. However, based on the message below, I believe she is working with elements of the Trashbook in mind:

The stitching alone is an element becoming synonymous with the Trashbook thanks largely to Rebecca Guyver (Suffolk, UK), although many others have employed it going back to the very earliest Trashbooks made by Cheryl Penn (South Africa). I greatly admire and enjoy the haptic and interactive qualities of the work as well: Note the cut-up letters. Elements of chance and randomness are at work. Here are more views of the piece:

The booklet has a total of four panels.

Deepest thanks to Marni Webber for sending this wonderful booklet. Make sure to check out more work by Marni Webber:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/97141262@N02/sets/

[Mail Art Martha]

I bet it rattles, in a kind of swishy way, how exquisite!

[De Villo Sloan]

Thanks Petrolpetal and Rebecca, this is indeed a very nice piece, better than the scan shows. You are both discerning I think.

The letters move around inside the bags, but I don't see that they spell anything - at least not so far.

I am assuming Marni was exploring Trashpo here, although I'm not 100% sure because some elements are present in her earlier work.

[Petrolpetal]

wow - that looks so interesting!

[Rebecca Guyver]

Gorgeous boekje!