London-based artist Riitta Ikonen tested the limits of international postal service when she began her ongoing project Location Vacation Vocation in 2004. Knotted fishing wire, mossy driftwood, shattered records, found pens from Brooklyn rooftops, glued hair, souring seaweed — dutiful postmen delivered all but five of about 150 pieces of this strange snail mail from around the world to the artist’s tutor Margaret Huber. She still receives mail “at irregular intervals.” See some the project’s most tangibly creative specimens in our gallery.
Feeling inspired? This ongoing Mail Art Postcard project will gladly accept your own arty postcard. Feeling mischievous? Well… French blogger Philippe De Jonckeere has already tried out shipping hardcore vintage cut-outs in translucent envelopes, but the truly inspired and mischievous should see this as a challenge.
Found fishing line and hooks. Image courtesy of Riitta Ikonen
Wood from Fragrance Lake, Washington. Image courtesy of Riitta Ikonen
The mossy side. Image courtesy of Riitta Ikonen
Found photos from Madrid. Image courtesy of Riitta Ikonen
Seeds from Chinatown. Image courtesy of Riitta Ikonen
A boulder from Exmouth Beach, UK. Image courtesy of Riitta Ikonen
A milk carton from St. Petersburg
From Russia with love…. Image courtesy of Riitta Ikonen
More seeds from Chinatown. Image courtesy of Riitta Ikonen
Mosquitoes from an art studio in Nagoya. Image courtesy of Riitta Ikonen
Pens from Brooklyn rooftops. Image courtesy of Riitta Ikonen
A sheet of seaweed. Image courtesy of Riitta Ikonen
Wooden hotel keys. Image courtesy of Riitta Ikonen
Hair and glue. Image courtesy of Riitta Ikonen