Since the late 1800s, people have been documenting their adventures, thoughts, and feelings on the backs of slim, rectangular 3.5” by 5” pieces of cardboard commonly known as postcards. Modern postcards often contain photographic images on the front side: images that may portray specific locales to which the sender has journeyed, as well as overt and frequently revealing messages on the blank side. These documents in time often become cherished memories. Of course, memories can be preserved in many other forms, such as favorite toys, ticket stubs, comic books, medals, pins and maps. A current second floor exhibit at Studio Place Arts (SPA) entitled Postcards and Memories celebrates this tradition, and the treasure trove of memories these missives and artifacts contain.
Encompassing 18 works from 10 Vermont artists, Postcards and Memories offers an endlessly intriguing and intimate glimpse into the personal worlds of each individual. Calais artist Jason Galligan-Baldwin’s brightly colored pop-art style collages I Hope She Leaves Soon… and Zombie Woman, provide a bold yet playful introduction to the show. Auto enthusiast artist Aaron Stein of Burlington contributes two 3 dimensional New York license plate and postcard constructions Give Me Your Tired and The Official Greetings from Albany, NY.
Paul Calter of Randolph is exhibiting a masterful Memory Map assemblage that measures 19” by 22”, containing 6 wooden rods that can be rotated to reveal 4 different maps: My Country, My State, My Town and My Home. Each map is embellished with inlaid family photographs, toys, and other personal relics. Winter X Panel and Winter Cards 1990-2010, two collages by Beth Barndt of Jericho, feature Beth’s colorful handmade postcards that had been sent and collected back by the artist for display.
Barton artist Susan Aldrich’s Dress of the Future (60’s) Apron of the Past 2011 is a fascinating mixed media construction consisting of an actual commercially-made paper dress from the 1960s, with a stitched apron overlay composed of photographs, ticket stubs, awards, buttons, and patches. A Year in Paris is Northfield artist Joan Marie Davidson’s 8” by 8” wooden box, paper, city map, and photograph construction revealing her deep relationship to the city.Postcards and Memories invites visitors to explore this multitude of memories and more at SPA through July 30.
Images: Aaron Stein, Give Me Your Tired, mixed media, 2011 Susan Aldrich, Dress of the Future (60s), Apron of the Past, paper dress, postcards, tickets, other media Pria Cambio, Here I Come, mixed media
