Tales from the Crypt(ic) by Ana Karina (St. Augustine, Florida, USA)

[De Villo Sloan]

Mail-art by IUOMA member Ana Karina (St. Augustine, Florida, USA)

May 29, 2013 - I am very excited to share with you the most recent correspondence received from Ana Karina.

Her name is slightly elastic, which I appreciate. Friends likely recognize her as Ana Carina, Ana Karenina (this time around), Ana Karina and possibly other what I have come to call Ana-grams.

Ana is a bit mysterious, and her art is a bit cryptic. I adore the black and white collage she sent, juxtaposing two images. I consider it a retro piece, referential to the Age of Xerox and very similar to a strain of Neoist collage that was once prevalent.

Ana Karina often includes bits and pieces of usually un-altered material. Following the lead of Claire Dinsmore of New Jersey, USA, I shall refer to this material as “ephemera.”

Included were these two vintage photos. On the back of the left-hand photo is inscribed: “‘Totally Legit/Kama Bay’/Lake Superior Route.” The right-hand photo of the women has no message. Also typical (and always warmly welcome) are drawings:

I fancy I see some asemic doodling in this piece. Although tiny and faint, I can read on the reverse side: “I used to have a super boring job. So true.”

I am convinced no semiotic application will yield much concerning the Ana-grams. While there is a content consistency emerging in her missives, each of Miss Ana’s envelopes carries a unique message which I am much better at feeling than knowing.

I responded to Ana’s previous letter. Though beleaguered, I am doing my best to respond to such a lovely gift. Many thanks Ana K!

[De Villo Sloan]

Hi Ana, I think you're becoming Kween Kryptic. The work is krypto-nite. 

[Ana Karina]

(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧ *:･ﾟ✧

thanks DVS

[De Villo Sloan]

Rebecca, through the MinXus-Lynxus School of Beauty & Cosmology we have had many discussions concerning the intent of the artist & the interpretive/reactive role of the recipient. I definitely think the recipient is as important in the process as the creator. Indeed, the recipient should be a co-creator. We are conditioned to accept art passively. We are conditioned to apply explanations we are given.

With Ana, I am feeling my way in the darkness. I do believe, in her case, a narrative is being revealed across the exchanges. I cannot put any of the pieces together yet on my end. Yet I do think something is unfolding. So I am keeping track of it. This is definitely correspondence art.

[Rebecca Guyver]

I see some great storytelling!