The Postcard as Participation Art

Over the last two years, a number of Postcard Collective submissions have requested the receiver’s participation. I often wonder how many people respond, guessing the answer is not many, then feeling guilty if I do not complete the task presented. After talking to a number of people who adamantly do not reply (for lack of time or interest), I decided to take a closer look at a handful of postcards sent that were compelling enough to “answer” and others that were more difficult. This is by no means a survey of all the Participation Art requests mailed since I’ve been involved with the Collective, merely a handful that I would deem a success or failure in generating a reply from me.

Chris Toalson, Fall 2011:

This was a daunting task as there were a great many prompts to consider, many forcing me into the community that I stay away from. I was up for the challenge as I was most interested in what Chris would make in return. In the end, it was time consuming as it required research, taking several months to complete (see my response here). The rewards were high as the object Chris presented was worth every minute I spent working toward its completion.

Anh-Thuy Nguyen, Winter 2013:

The easiest way for me to participate is to send a half finished object (or in this case a partially processed cyanotype) with the simplest request (add water and rinse). The anal retentive me couldn’t have it sitting around the house, gradually growing darker. Within a couple weeks of watching it change, I suddenly couldn’t stand it and documented the final rinse, emailing the results to Anh-Thuy.

Anh Thuy Cyanotype2.jpg

Cat Lynch & Maria Daniela Quirós, Summer 2013:

There are a couple circumstances when the artist places too much care into the concept and presentation that ignoring it, would be a disservice to both the creator and the object itself.

When Cat Lynch mailed a sewn card with a “sacrificial sample” of earth from the coordinates: 39 N 59’ 40.38” and it included a self-addressed stamped postcard, I immediately marveled how she got away with sending this at the 33 cent rate. That thought passed quickly and visions of earth I would send in return quickly took its place. It didn’t hurt that I love playing in the dirt (routinely burying objects) or collecting nonscientific samples of water, rocks, or sand all for the sake of art. I don’t know if Cat has any plans for the specimen she receives but judging from her past work, I can only imagine that she has.

Cold Creek Location for Cat's Postcard2.jpg
Cat's Postcard.jpg

I nearly dropped the card Maria Daniela Quirós made as it was unexpected and an ingenious way of exploring the theme of “exchange.” Her presentation was spot on and if I hesitated in replying, it was due to emailing a photograph inferior to her original. [My response, not shown here, was nowhere near as clever, but it was heartfelt and I hope that counts for something.]

MDQ3.jpg
Maria' Request for Participation.jpg

Jeremy Jams, Winter 2013

Jeremy’s card was more difficult for me to complete yet the request was straightforward: “This is a piece of wallpaper. Take a picture with someone or something in front of it. Send me your photo via email or text and I’ll add it to my blog.”

I carried this card around with me on several trips, never once finding anything to photograph. I didn’t want to take a portrait with the postcard and I knew it had to be an object. Finally one day, I broke down and decided to photograph it NO MATTER WHAT and placed it behind a broken music box in the studio. I hated the photograph because the two objects have little in common. I propped the wallpaper up behind it and it meant nothing. Last week, I forced myself to photograph it again, operating on the theme of “meta.” The pen in front of the card is the one used to take notes on why I couldn’t properly complete the task he requested an answer from seven months ago. Jeremy’s card was a prime case in me over thinking every aspect of my reply and ultimately not liking the end product.

Jeremy Jams1.JPG

Angelina McCormick, Summer 2013

Angelina offered a “small piece of silver” asking the recipient to bring it to Times Square on July 29, 2025 and make art with it. Several thoughts accompanied this card: What if I remember this and showed up? Would she be there? What would she look like? What part of Times Square? What if I lose the card and there is no silver to make art from? What is the significance of 29th July 2025?

This request is problematic for several reasons aside from the date being twelve years in the future with very little information provided as a follow-up. What she asks is sincere but unrealistic; it is difficult for me to immerse myself in the card from any other angle. Of course, I am reading this most literally and should step back and look at it from a poetic standpoint. Incidentally, all of this has prevented me from opening the front to look at the “silver” for nearly a month since I received it. This is a prime case of me wanting more from the card than what is provided.

Angelina Silver.jpg

Would I ever ask someone to participate in a Postcard Collective submission? Most likely not. I would be disappointed in the outcome as I imagine very few people would respond. In any case, I am curious to hear from anyone else about their experiences with Participation Art within the Postcard Collective and whether or not it produced a meaningful outcome.