In 2020, the United States Postal Service (USPS) was thrown into the spotlight during the presidential election. The USPS, an independent agency of the federal government, has been cash-strapped for years and then it was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic which saw fewer people buying postage and products that keep it funded. Enter the Trump-elected Postmaster General, Louis DeJoy, who immediately began making cuts that have led to major slowdowns in mail delivery and substantial financial and legal ramifications. With a shared love of “tangible artforms,” multi-hyphenates Mark Mothersbaugh and Beatie Wolfe came together and organized a postcard art demonstration called Postcards for Democracy. The duo encouraged, and still welcomes, anyone and everyone to join the collective art piece while also helping to support the USPS by buying stamps. The project began last year but they’re continuing to accept postcards until August 8th, 2021.
Watch Mark Mothersbaugh + Beatie Wolfe discuss the project further [Video directed by Ross Harris]:
A sampling of some of the postcards they’ve received so far…
‘Public Service not Private Profit’ by Joan E. Bromley
‘VOTE’ by Unknown
‘Hazardous Waste’ by Christine Rotolo
‘Who can sleep?’ by Nanette
‘The World is Made of Many Colors’ by Gilbert Gragert
‘I hope we have a living ocean after 4 years’ by K.S. Bronowitz
‘Untitled’ by William Joseph Dunn
’Make Money, Sell Grit’ by Jon Hioki
‘Use Art’ by Martha Traer
Mark Mothersbaugh and Beatie Wolfe at Mutato \\\ Photo: Ross Harris
If you’re wondering what will become of the art-filled postcards, they’ll be on display at the Postcards for Democracy site-specific exhibition at the Bob Rauschenberg Gallery at FSW in Fort Meyers, Florida, from May 17th – August 8th, 2021. Any postcards that don’t arrive in time for the physical installation will be featured digitally via projectors at the exhibition.
Inspired to join the cause? Buy USPS stamps, make postcard art, and then mail it to:
Postcards for Democracy
8760 Sunset Blvd,
West Hollywood, CA 90069-2206
USA
Caroline Williamson is Editorial Director of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.
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