Simon Warren send a provocative and rude contribution to my apolitical exhibition "Art of the Hand".

[Maxie Eulig]

[Zorica Obradović]

A well-meaning message: While censorship is certainly an important issue, global peace is, of course, of higher priority. Since this is your event, it is completely natural and acceptable that you and your team manage all the accompanying activities.

However, I believe William and the other members simply want to point out that, under these conditions, it no longer qualifies as mail art. Therefore, this cannot be considered a mail art exhibition—because in the mail art tradition, there should be no gatekeeping based on "artistic quality."

P.S. If you find this comment uncomfortable or unwelcome in any way, please feel free to delete it using the small "x" in the top right corner. Best regards from Serbia.

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[Maxie Eulig]

No, that information was missing. I am surprised it would have been necessary, given that the subject matter and context were described in great detail. I am not censoring the piece—after all, I am displaying it here. However, I am organizing the exhibition together with my father; for him, the focus is on the craft itself, and he is providing the premises for the event. In this context, it feels inappropriate to draw attention to Germany’s historical guilt and the resulting responsibility for the present day. I feel pressured when required to exhibit a piece that provocatively overplays the issue. Moreover, the social climate—especially in East Germany—is tense; I see no need to add fuel to the fire. That said, the artistic merit of the work itself is certainly open for discussion—for instance, right here under this post ;)

[William M]

did your call explicitly state no political content? seems like you are censoring the inclusion because you disagree with the point of view. "everything is shown" is a longstanding tradition for mail art shows to avoid the type of gatekeeping you'd see in a traditional gallery or museum.

[Isabelle Dehennin]

*** may the craft be with you *** hugs to you Maxie

[Maxie Eulig]

I’ve decided against showing it in the exhibition. I’m a fan of dark humor, but I’m fed up with the cynicism of our times. Sorry, Simon. But to be honest, I don’t think your contribution is meant seriously.