I guess the creators of mail art were thinking about how to exchange art and exhibit without having to participate of the art market scene. The creation of the Internet made the transfer of images instantaneous, but the materiality and the intimacy of the mail art object was lost if sent through e-mail. Real mail continues to be necessary to exchange art even for the art market. E-mail did not eliminated mail art, it only eliminated most intimate correspondence like love and friendship letters. It even threatens with eliminating calligraphy. Those of us who still love the snail mail continues to produce letters and postcards and exchange it with others who love the same thing. We call ourself mail artists.

From Michel Della Vendova, Limoges, France

From Michel Della Vendova, Limoges, France

Received from Medwolf 2/10/10, Sask, Canada

Received from Medwolf 2/10/10, Sask, Canada

Received from Medwolf 2/10/10, Sask, Canada

Received from Medwolf 2/10/10, Sask, Canada

Received from Medwolf 2/10/10, Sask, Canada

Received from Medwolf 2/10/10, Sask, Canada

stamp in the back: www.lostmailart.piczo.com

Computerized version of my initial illustration for the project.

My friend and computer artist Laura Guerrero considered my initial posted image needed to be upgraded to a computerized version created with Illustrator. I though the fact that she considered this was part of the project. What is best computerized perfection or the personal touch of our imperfect drawings?

Mail art submission February 8, 2010

back

sent by Dewi, Toronto, Canada for Mail At the Age of the Internet" It reads " All the best, Dewi"
Thank you for your collaboration, Dewi.

ma

First mail art submissions recieved February 8, 2010

Front

Received from Dewi, Toronto, Canada. It reads "In the age of mobile internet...no one looks up anymore. Which makes them easier to sketch"

Mail art submission February 8, 2010

Front
It reads "Computers must go" and "capitalism at its worst". Received from Andrea Jay, Staten Island, New York. thank you.

First mail art submissions recieved February 8, 2010

Back
Thank you, Andrea Jay for your submission for "Mail art in the age of the Internet"
It reads "Say no to established art" and "We spit on facebook" in the snail.

Call to Artists

Mail Art Project "Mail Art in the age of the Internet"

Call to artists:

Free format, free technique

No return, No sales. Documentation to all in this blog.

Explore the interaction of snail mail or regular mail and e-mail or the Internet as ways of communication and creating art. Make a statement about why Mail Art exists in an era or fast communication though e-mail, Internet messengers, satellite communication, radio, Internet social networks as facebook, Internet access in cellular phones, etc.

For possible exhibition in 2011.

Mail art to:

Blanca Caraballo
1000 East Ponce de Leon Blvd #4E
Coral Gables, Fl 33134 USA
re:"Mail Art in the age of the Internet"

Every work received will be posted in this blog and the public will interact with its creator here.