a book about death ~ memento: Memento Info

Optional memento can be something real from the subject you are depicting or fictitiously assembled to seem like something real.

Memento Guidelines

size of memento: must fit in your hand
place in a zip lock bag, then in a padded envelope to mail
postcard can be sent together with memento or
if memento is sent separately from postcard please include your name and address so that it can be matched with the postcard for the exhibition

suggestions: a key, buttons, a swatch of fabric, an old letter, a stamp, a photograph, a toy, a pencil, a safety pin

Most mementos will be hung below individual postcards in their plastic bags. Hang tags will be created for identification. Some mementos will be placed in display cases. In this case, the postcards will be displayed above the case.

SEND ART AND MEMENTO TO:
Patricia Sahertian
1517 W. Willetta Street
Phoenix, AZ 85007
USA

ABAD ~ Memento

A BOOK ABOUT DEATH (ABAD)
Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix based artist Patricia Sahertian has organized an ABAD exhibition for May 2011. Following the tradition that started with the original A Book About Death show at the Emily Harvey Foundation in New York City, 2009 this new exhibit will feature postcards from around the world and have an added feature: small mementos. The ABAD concept was brought to life by Paris based artist Matthew Rose who was influenced by the mail art work of Ray Johnson from the 1950s and 60s, and by Ray's New York Correspondance School. ABAD has blossomed into an international phenomenon and has shown in Brazil, Belgium, Italy, Wales, New York, California, Texas, Long Island, Omaha, South Carolina, Louisiana and New Hampshire. Two exhibits are upcoming soon: Bayshore, Long Island and now Phoenix.

Honoring John S. Turner

Honorably Discharged Air Force Veteran, AF 18844546

UPDATE: The Glendale American Legion Post #29 Honor Guard, under Bob Hicks (also the bugler), will come to the opening at 7 p.m. to perform the following service: "Pre-post, with flag bearers, of our National and Post colors along with rifle bearers, three members to perform our usual ritual; performed at our National Cemetery, the playing of 'Taps' by our bugler and the presentation of a pre-folded burial flag to Ms. Lantz, in memory of her brother John S. Turner. The service is approximately 10-12 minutes in length. Those squad members, not actually participating in the ceremony, will be in attendance to honor their comrade and brother," promised George Cushing, retired U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sergeant, past commander of the Northwest Valley Veterans Association.

Also in attendance to say some prayers for John will be Dr. R. Dale Copsey, Chaplain, Lt Col, USAF-Ret, a 2007 recipient of the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society from Mesa, Arizona.

Sahertian’s own work turned to the topic of death when she collaborated on an artists book that expressed the plight of those buried on Hart Island – potter’s field for New York City.

During her research, Patricia learned of Julie S. Lantz whose brother died in 1972 at the age of 24 and had also been buried, without the opportunity of family consent, on Hart Island. Patricia was deeply moved by the story of this Honorably Discharged Air Force Veteran, John S. Turner AF 18844546, and his sister’s efforts to have his body exhumed and brought home to Southern California.

In addition to the long-overdue military burial Julie was trying to obtain, she wanted to include John’s personal items (his mementos) with his body. Unfortunately without John’s remains, no plot or niche could be used to bury only his things.

With the upcoming ABAD ~ Memento exhibition approaching, Patricia contacted Julie with the proposal that she would like to base her postcard entry for the show on John’s story. In addition, Julie agreed to loan all of her brother’s personal items to Patricia, who will display these mementos, in a special area of the gallery, telling the unique story of a long forgotten soul, an Air Force Veteran and a beloved brother.

For every story shared, there are millions more untold. The A Book About Death ~ Memento exhibit is dedicated to respectfully presenting these uniquely interpretive postcards and mementos from artists around the world.

The Hart Island Project

UPDATE: In addition Melinda Hunt, of the Hart Island Project in New York City, has agreed to send letters and documentation of Hart Island, the place where John S. Turner was buried in 1972. It is the potters field cemetery for all of NYC and is run by the department of corrections. There will be letters from prisoners about what it is like burying the people who wind up at Hart Island and some artwork representing those buried there.

The mission of the Hart Island Project is to make the largest cemetery in the United States visible and accessible so that no one is omitted from history. The process of reclaiming the identities of those buried is a global, community effort, spearheaded by Melinda Hunt in New York.

Call to Artists now closed

NOTE: DEADLINE EXTENDED
Deadline for postcard and memento:
April 25, 2011 extended to opening day May 6
Show dates: May 3 to 28, 2011
Reception: May 6, 2011
6-10 p.m.

SEND ART TO
Patricia Sahertian
1517 W. Willetta Street
Phoenix, AZ 85007 USA

call for:
one work on paper, post card size: approximately 6x4 inches or 148x105 mm (either vertical or horizontal)
any medium, original art or reproduction is acceptable
theme: death
one work on paper is required, but you may send more than one if you like.

with optional twist:
include a memento
Mementos play an important role in our remembering. A simple thing like a toothbrush, a letter, a toy, a paperclip, or a swatch of fabric, can be a fond reminder of a lost loved one. So please also send a tiny memento, if you like. See memento guidelines.

It will be displayed with your work.

jpgs
send a jpg if you can
jpgs will help keep the site fresh and up-to-date, but are not mandatory. send jpgs (no larger than 600 x 400 px) of your work (for posting on this blog), with your name and your website/blog information or contact link to Patricia. Tell your story here.

If you are not sending a jpg please at least email me your website/blog links so I can include that with your work, and a quick note to let me know you are not sending a jpg would be nice.

WORK AND MEMENTOS WILL NOT BE RETURNED AND WILL BE KEPT IN PERMANENT COLLECTION

Exhibition space
Willo North Gallery