My reply to Susan in VA. Since she requested to hide her address I had to use the blue lines on the enveloppe. I used her special artistamps on my envelope as well. I hope she'll get the enveloppe soon. 

one of the artistamps 

This envelope arrived today from Susan in VA (address not mentioned on her request). The envelope included a certificate for me to sign and to return. When you look close on the envelope you will notice the special IUOMA-artistamp that was specially designed for the 25 year anniversary. She includer a set for me to use on my outgoing mail.....
 

Changes in Mail-Art

Just realized that I am posting lots of visuals lately and haven't found the time to write in this BLOG. Mail-Art has changed over the years. When I started in 1980 a computer was rarely used and nowadays we use our computers to print small editions of cards. We publish our outgoing mail-art even before it is sent out. The address-lists of Brain Cell contain a total new set of people 'playing this game' when I compare it to the first lists.

The thrill of receiving a surprise by mail is still there. Even after 25 years I know that. What kind of changes will the coming 25 years bring? Mail-art was supposed to be a movement outside the main-stream artworld. Yet, mail-art is being exhibited in museums, is sold on Ebay, and even is mentioned in art-books.

What changes do the readers see in mail-art? That is more interesting to know. Every mail-artists has only his 'small circle of friends' he/she communicates with, and calls that 'The Network'. But in fact there are so many networks alive that sometimes bump into eachother.

Ruud

My answer to Fluxus Canucks (Ross) which also contained his IUOMA-certificate and lots of other things. It will be on its way tomorrow! 

Envelope sent out in 1996. 

Envelope I sent out in 1996 

Envelope I sent out in 1995 

Another card from Geof Huth in my P.O. Box

Card from Geof Huth - backside. Seems that Geof now has a new technique as well to print his small edition of cards. Very nice indeed to see this high quality printed card is such a limited edition.

Card received from Geof Huth - Frontside 

The envelope in which Ross Priddle sent the collage below. He also include lots of magazines and off course used his special stamp on the envelope...... 

Collage from Ross Priddle

Collage made by Ross Priddle (see http://bentspoon.blogspot.com) for my 25 years in mail-art.

Envelope to Antitext arrived - and is discussed.

My envelope to Antitext arrived. It is even discussed at: http://www.livejournal.com/users/sulfatize/5178.html . Quite interesting how the internet connects all the mail-art that is crossing the globe.

A new erased carved stamp, made by Malinda Welt on 15 feb 2005. It arrived today, and I will use it on some of the official documents for the IUOMA!. 

Malinda W. (Sideshowpost, 104 W. 44th Street, Apt 4, Kansas City, MO 64111, USA) sent me this photo. Title: "Oak tree at Water Tower Park". She wonders, What does this photo say? About the photographer, about Life? About You. Please post your comments. 

From Shih Yun in Singapore I received this printed certificate for the IUOMA. I signed it, and made an answer envelope. Also used the new stamp carved by Malinda which I will document seperately as well. 

Sending out the IUOMA-certificate

Two new IUOMA-members found the Certificate at: http://www.iuoma.org/memiuoma.html and printed it. They filled in the form and sent it to the headquarter of the IUOMA. There the certificate was signed and is now returned in these two envelopes.

Roped card to qbdp

My roped card arrived without problems at the QBDP headquarters. Nice to see it documented like this at: http://qbdp.blogspot.com/

Finding back a card of mine in alteded form.

After alteration the card is published by R.F. Cote (Canada)

before 

Card from Schoko - Berlin - Germany. 

The beautiful envelope by PWK (Peter W. Kaufmann) in Switzerland. He sent the artistamps too and wished me good luck for the next 25 years. That might even work since I started in mail-art at a very young age. But will mail-art be alive after another 25 years? 

Artistamp sheet made by PWK - Switzerland. He used one of my 25-years card for it (which he received a week ago or so) and made this sheet out of it. PWK always uses small details, so I noticed how he changed the orientation of the 5 again to make a wonderful play of the numbers on the sheet. The sheet was sent in a nice envelope too. It will be the next entry in this blog. 

Vittore Baroni (Italy) published his latest issue of Phosgenia. An edition of 150, so lots of people contributed to his OA-project.  

Sylvia......Sometimes.

Sylvia.....Sometimes (USA) sent me an envelope with lots of goodies in it. She used visuals from my blogs to illustrate her envelope and as it looks like she still has access to those orange IUOMA-stickers that were printed here in the Netherlands by the State Printer Institute in an edition of 10,000. The other side of the envelope can be found on her blog at: http://sylviasometimes.blogspot.com/

Realities of Time and Place - Project

The card that Wendy (USA) sent me with on the backside the invitation to her project. "Realities of Time and Place". Deadline May 1st 2005. Have a go.....!