Trashpo DKult D-Kit by Diane Keys (Part I) (Elgin, Illinois, USA)

[De Villo Sloan]

Mail art by IUOMA member Diane Keys (Elgin, Illinois, USA)

January 12, 2015 - Diane Keys aka the Queen of Trash sent me an envelope absolutely stuffed with Trashpo and DKult promotional materials. Rather than attempt to document it all at once I will post this very compelling work as a series.

The D-Kit, analogous to the FluxKit, is already an established form in Trashpo. Included in the recent mailing, Diane Keys included a “little red book” that I deem to be a D-Kit, especially because of its preoccupation with games and chance. (The entire mailing can be viewed as a D-Kit too.)

This is genuine Trashpo for sure. Diane Keys’ found material usually has a “distressed” look. The water stains and variance in paper discoloration certainly add another, perhaps Gutai, aesthetic dimension to the work.

Diane Keys’ current use of erasure is likely influenced by Richard Canard (Illinois, USA).

The exact nature of what is to be done with the kit and what it means remains indeterminate and thus highly dependent upon the interpretation of the receiver, although its use as an exercise for developing psychic powers is pronounced. The kit suggests a game and is thus similar to the contents of FluxKits and boxes that contain various kinds of games, sometimes invented or essentially irrational. Here are the reverse sides:

Many thanks to Diane Keys for sending such a huge envelope of FAB material. This D-Kit is especially fascinating and conceptual. I hope trashpoets and kulters will stay tuned for future installments of this series; there is more great work to come!

[De Villo Sloan]

You raise the D-Kollective IQ, Neil.

Thanks NBS. More on that later. Actually, I miss the days of asemic epics and beautiful boekies. So your work is always a treat.

[Neil Gordon]

i wonder if dyslexic people m better cryptographers?

Yes this is very fluxus, i am still enjoying this,,, Boy we got a smart bunch of people here!!!!

[Nancy Bell Scott]

Cryptology--absolutely.  Espionage?  Why not?  Throw it in there!  Let's face it, if something isn't already "art," Diane will transform it into art with her wonderfully droll magic wand.

Yes DVS, you've got something in the mail.  It seems to happen every 7, 10, or 12 months or so.  It's usually asemic, what a surprise, eh?  Enjoy.   

[De Villo Sloan]

Neil, I think all the interest in different kinds of codes around here would indicate codes are connected to art. At least one branch of Fluxus sees no distinction between life and art, so "everything is art." Gosh, that unfortunate statement has been heaped in derision since the 1960s but probably misunderstood.

You and NBS have good eyes, IMHO. DK did a really neat thing here. The shabby Trashpo look & water stains disguise the brilliance. It's a great piece, the first of many in this envelope she sent.

NBS - I think I had something in my mailbox from you today. I have not gone through everything yet. What a pleasant surprise!

[Neil Gordon]

could cryptology and espionage be a form of art such as asemics ,fluxus, trashpo,  concrete poetry,etc.???

[Nancy Bell Scott]

Love that beautiful mind . . .

[Neil Gordon]

phenomenal work of art -flux and espionage!!!! fluxus meets a"beautiful mind"!!!!! Can't wait to see the next installments.Bully!!!