Existing comment:
Ry Nikonova (1942–2014, Russian)
Mail art to John Held Jr., 1988
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Guy Bleus Mail Art to John Held Jr., 1990. John Held papers relating to Mail Art, 1973-2013. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
The mystery of a letter's content is an important part of mail art practices around the world. The instructions "Do not open" often appear in works of artists from different countries. For example, a Guy Bleus (b. 1950) mail art piece, which was sent to John Held Jr. in 1990 (to right). In that object, the imperative has figurative meaning rather than serving as a real warning. The contradiction -- an envelope is supposed to be opened, but the rubber stamp states not do so -- increases one's desire to open the letter. However, the command could have different meanings in different political and cultural contexts. In this work by Ry Nikonova, her carefully penned "Do not open!" instructions literally mean that one should carefully consider the potential consequences before looking at the contents of the envelope. It was a real warning because mail art in Soviet Russia was an unofficial and illegal practice. Participation in mail art could lead to serious punishment, such as time in prison or, in some cases, deportation from the country.
-- Mariia Spirina |