Mail art no. 100

mail art

Two-sided mail art piece consisting of a yellow mailing envelope decorated with rubber stamp ink and U.S. postage stamps and containing six individual mail art pieces within created by Nicol A. Kostic. The back of the yellow envelope is ink stamped with a frog and staggered multiple images of a fly. The first mail art piece within the envelope is a black-and-white surreal collage shows a person holding a cigarette with their head replaced by a textured brain filled with layered words (“Happenings,” “Fishkeeping,” “Crystal Flight,” “Nest”). Surrounding imagery includes a lizard, geometric diagram, palm tree, anatomical figure, cityscape, eyeglasses, and a crossword grid, with the phrase “light into your dark unconscious” at the bottom. The second mail art piece within the envelope is a black-and-white surreal collage depicting a seated figure in a suit with their head replaced by a large human eye. Butterfly wings extend from either side of the eye, while small feet and abstract biological forms appear below. Surrounding elements include a maze diagram, footprints, cellular or microscopic shapes, coins or medallions, and handwritten text reading “the point of bursting forth from my bag.” The artist’s name, Nicol A. Kostic, appears at the bottom. The third mail art piece within the envelope is a black-and-white collage flyer featuring a large butterfly with yellow-tinted wings overlaid with words and phrases. The wings contain layered text fragments such as “tactile,” “collage,” “zines,” “poetry,” “print,” and “cerebral art.” Surrounding text advertises an art show, including “Nicol A. Kostic mail art show,” the date “August 25, 1991,” and details for the Collingwood Arts Center in Toledo, Ohio. Additional text notes includes admission pricing and a coupon offer. The composition blends illustration, typography, and print textures in a handmade, zine-like style. The fourth mail art piece within the envelope is a typed letter from Nicol A. Kostic, dated June 20, 1991, describing plans and anxieties about organizing a mail art show in Toledo, Ohio, with several phrases highlighted. The fifth mail art piece within the envelope is a typed continuation of the same mail art letter describing an unexpected discovery of mail art materials, requesting permission to exhibit them, signed by Nicol Kostic, with highlighted words and a small illustrated stamped figure near the bottom. The sixth and final mail art piece within the envelope is a black-and-white collage artwork combines archaeological imagery, text, and surreal elements. At the center is an aerial photograph of a circular stone structure resembling an ancient shrine or ruin. Around it are cut-out images of maggots or flesh worms, raised human arms, and a robed figure seen from behind with arms lifted. Text fragments read “ROOT JUJU CURE,” “spirit, magic, music and dance,” “ANCIENT SHRINE OF THE FLESH WORMS,” “EVENTUALLY CONSUMING THE ENTIRE HEAD,” and “ACTUAL CASES.” A small scientific illustration labeled “A Regular Flesh Worm Greatly Magnified” appears near the bottom. The artist’s name, Nicol A. Kostic, and Toledo, Ohio address are stamped at the top, giving the piece a dark, ritualistic, zine-like aesthetic. Mail art recipient: John M. Bennett.

The description and alternative text may have been partially generated using an AI tool and may contain errors or omissions.

Kostic, Nicol A.

State University of New York at Buffalo. Poetry Collection

State University of New York at Buffalo. University Libraries

1990-1999?

Basinski, Michael

Bennett, John M.

IN COPYRIGHT. This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). Contact the Poetry Collection for more information.

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eng

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Text

Mail Art John M. Bennett Box #

MA0100

2006-02-24

2006-05-25

Mail art. LIB-PC001

15 x 23 cm.

envelopes

paper (fiber product)