Collage artist Ray Johnson is often credited as the founder of the mail-art movement, inspiring a network of artists and enthusiasts to use the postal system to share small artful works — sending them to friends or strangers as part of everyday correspondence. Later waves of participation saw newcomers transforming blank postcards with rubber-stamped ink imagery, embracing both personal creativity and the unpredictable postal markings added along the way — cancellations, date stamps and coded instructions — all of which enhanced the collaborative nature of mail-art.
Historically, the concept of artistic mail has deeper roots. Emily Dickinson’s “envelope poems,” with messages scribbled along folds and margins, reflect an early playfulness with correspondence. And in perhaps the most theatrical delivery of all, Cleopatra’s legendary arrival to Caesar — rolled up inside a carpet — could be considered an early and dramatic form of mail-art.
At this exhibit, explore books from the Library’s circulating collection on Ray Johnson, the history of mail-art and Dickinson’s envelope poetry. While this display does not feature historic mail-art pieces, it does showcase new creations by the students and staff who frequent our Library. Enjoy this celebration of creativity, connection and the enduring charm of postal art.
Related Event
Make Some Mail Art! | Monday, May 12 | 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Outside Classroom 1, Geisel Library
Contact:
Scott Paulson
spaulson@ucsd.edu