Joe Brainard
- Artist Statement
- Curator Statement
- Website
Artist Statement
“I remember the first time I got a letter that said “After Five Days Return To” on the envelope, and I thought that after I had kept the letter for five days I was supposed to return it to the sender.”
I Remember
Curator Statement
Obstacles/challenges
The creative process is a challenge, an ongoing obstacle. Being able to start and finish is huge. I often say this: when visiting a foreign place one often has the small or grand intention of writing a postcard. But that’s not a small feat. First you must think of someone worthy of the postcard, then you must select the appropriate postcard, write something pithy on it, you must also know and apply their correct address, then you must source a Post Office in the local lands and communicate in their native tongue about purchasing correct postage, paste it on, and finally drop it in the box. That’s ten tasks for the delivery of a travel salutation. There must be commitment . . . there must be zillions of postcards written but never sent. And zillions more bought and not written. And bazillions more that were a thought but never executed . . . It goes on and on. . . And hence why vintage postcards have a market. Both unwritten and written at Swap Meets everywhere . . . That’s Joe Brainard. The one who sends your postcard as you scurry off on a flight somewhere unknown to his m but in a matchbox. No longer your obstacle, but his challenge.
