The Fluxus influence on correspondence art and mail art is truly incredible. It seems to be a stepping-stone for creating a network of artists that exists today. The existence of such network is highly beneficial to artists to not only communicate and share new ideas but to also use a medium to collaborate for the purpose of expression of art.
The origin of this dates us back to the correspondence art that the article by Ken Freidman mentions. This form of elusive art that was activated over mail may seem to have blurred out with the introduction of electronic communication. However, it was correspondence art that seems to have blossomed the idea of sharing art within communities whose interest lies in common field. From private conversions and individual expression, we’ve come a long way in making art global and easily accessible. The Something Else Press that served as a large locust of correspondents is again just a seed that could have possibly seen growth in the form of multiple publications today that recognize the works of artists world over.
One good example of a large community of artistic explorations can be seen in the form of exhibitions or Biennales. These are a result of a community that has been generated over years with new members each passing day. From communications via mail art to e-communications, these exhibitions successfully run n public forums. I happened to visit one such Biennale in Kochi in India and was enthralled with the large community of artists that exists today. This community is not limited to individuals but has expanded through cultural and social societies across the globe. Events like these only help to bring them together physically each year.
Further exploration in terms of virtual presence through virtual reality could possibly help this community stay active not only over internet but every second of a person’s artistic life.
iotfall2016 