Mail Art
Thanks to the network of artists and activists which grew from mid of the 1960s along with the development of formats which were easy to disseminate, a new means of circulation was born. This postal art movement enabled the exchange of concepts and works across political and ideological borders. It played a crucial role in allowing artists to develop independent narratives which differed from the dominant ones given by the art market, art historians and art critics. In totalitarian political situations, it was a possibility to express non-permitted positions. Thanks to his active participation, Guy Schraenen exchanged his artists' publications with more than 1000 artists from almost 50 countries. The resulting rich and diverse collection of published art works gave rise to the Archive for Small Press & Communications, which he run together with Anne Marsily. The following publications bear witness to the activities that have emerged in this context.
LATIN AMERICA ASSEMBLING
18 contributions of Latin American artists with works by Paulo Bruscky, Mirtha Dermisache, Raúl Marroquín, Clemente Padin etc. Presented in an envelope, 1977. 31 x 24 cm, 100 copies.
STAMPS IN PRAXIS
Illustrated catalogue on occasion of the exhibition on original stamps collected on correspondence, documents and in publications. Including 4 original works. Antwerp: A.S.P.C. Archive Space, 1977. 15,5 x 21,5 cm.
COMMONPRESS # 16
Contribution by Guy Schraenen to the “Commonpress” project of Pawel Petasz which forms a special issue on artists’ postage stamps with 31 participants, 1979. 15,5 cm, 100 copies, numbered and signed.
LIBELLUS
12 fully illustrated issues of a mail art magazine, published monthly. Project by A.S.P.C. and I.C.C. Antwerp on occasion of the "International Mail Art Festival", 1980-1981. 29,7 x 21 cm each issue.
AEROPUS I
Publication with 176 contributions to the collective sound score of Aeropus I, a Mail art performance-project by Guy Schraenen, 1982. Black & White reproduction: 29,7 x 21 cm, 50 copies. Coloured reproduction: 48 x 37,5 x 24 cm, 20 copies, numbered and signed.
AEROPUS I PROGRAM
Published on the occasion of the Aeropus I live concerts at ICC Antwerp, Palais des Beaux-Arts Brussels, T.19 Bruges, in Poznan and Łódź, 1982. 21 x 14,7 cm.
MAIL (ART) STAMPS & TREATED STAMPS
Illustrated catalogue on occasion of the exhibition on artists' stamps. Brussels: A.S.P.C., Musée de la Poste, 1982. 15,5 x 21,5 cm.
MAIL ART.
EASTERN EUROPE IN INTERNATIONAL NETWORK
Illustrated catalogue on occasion of the exhibition on Eastern European mail art scene within the international mail art network. Schwerin: Staatliches Museum, 1996. 21 x 28 cm, 318 pages.
MAIL ART. EASTERN EUROPE IN INTERNATIONAL NETWORK. CONGRESS DOCUMENTATION
Congress documentation on occasion of the exhibition on Eastern European mail art scene within the international mail art network. Schwerin: Staatliches Museum, 1996. 21 x 28 cm.
NEMO PROPHETA IN PATRIA.
GUGLIELMO ACHILLE CAVELLINI. GAC CENTENNIAL AND OTHER PROJECTS
Illustrated catalogue on occasion of the exhibition on a choice of Guglielmo Achille Cavellini's works, his centennial project and further projects based on international artistic communication via mail. Bremen: Museum Weserburg, 2014. 14,8 x 21 cm, 16 pages.
