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Dylan Houser Wants YOU! To Become a Mail Art Recipient Penpal

1/12/2020

7 Comments

 
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Back in 2011-2013, I enjoyed a great period of prolific recording, and mailing tapes and CDRs to people all across the globe. 

Unfortunately, due to a combination or things, my output had gradually decreased to the point where I had ceased production altogether for a while. These various reasons include: the increased expenses on international shipping rates; shortage of materials to burn/dub audio and/or print the artwork; my increasing amounts of live performances; personal matters; and of course, being burned-out in general.

Fast-forward to early 2017: after having contributed to the then-recent issues of HalZine, I was inspired to put together my own “visual noise” zines. But even these proved to be somewhat costly in the long run. I decided to become even more efficient, and start making postcards.

Lo and behold, they became a success! Multiple recipients would gladly post them on social media, and even send me their own mailart in return.

It was just like the good ol’ days of 2011-2013, except it was limited to just the visuals (which I felt was the centerpiece of a majority of the releases I did anyways).

But now I have decided to go a step further: I will be incorporating audio with my future mailart, without having to compromise the amount of postage. How, you may ask?

By slapping a QR code on the postcard!

For those who may not know: you can scan a QR code by opening the camera on your phone and holding it up to the code until a tab drops down with the link embedded into the code.

For example: here’s a screenshot of our good friend Hal McGee scanning the code (on a postcard I had recently sent him) with the camera on his phone:
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Voila!

I understand there are some potential drawbacks: most notably this feature is not incorporated in every cellphone (specifically Android, which I think requires an app). Regardless, this is all in good fun.

I am planning on making more of these and being quite productive with it throughout this year, as I greatly enjoy creating and mailing these out.

If you would like to receive any future postcards from me, feel free to email me your address or PO BOX and I will add you to my mailing list.

And in the event that you can’t open the contents of the QR CODE with your phone, let me know and I’ll be more than happy to copy-paste the link your way!

Cheers,
​
-Dylan Houser
January 12th, 2020

Further reading:
​
Free QR Code generator

QR Code Wikipedia page

7 Comments
Leslie Singer
1/12/2020 14:46:47

Dylan, I’m so happy and grateful to have been a recipient of your latest mail art piece. Keep them coming!

Reply
colette parisa
1/12/2020 22:10:12

dylan, i have been privileged to receive both your zines and postcards. your art is really well done. your zines have great content. both totally enjoyable. there have been days when life sucked and going to my post box and your art is there.. totally made part of my day way better, thank u!!

Reply
Niniji
1/12/2020 22:10:15

Hi Dylan, I would like to be your new mail art buddy occasionally. I return mails quite slowly but will always eventually get around to answer my mails.

Reply
Chris Phinney
1/13/2020 08:57:57

Dylan, I totally enjoyed the postcard even thoug my shit phone woudnt read the qr & my stubborn ass would not download the app & quality of pic took wouldnt read free online reader.

Reply
bürgher
1/14/2020 03:25:45

sign me up up up

Reply
Creighton Jenkins link
2/2/2020 00:55:31

Hey Dylan!

I would like to receive and send postcards! I've never been able to send random stuff to friends before, so it's something I'd love to do. Let me know if I can contribute somehow.

Creighton

Reply
gen ken
3/3/2020 18:05:47

I love postcards!

Reply



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    Dylan Houser

    Recording since 2004
    Releasing since 2008
    Performing since 2012

    2020 and no end in sight....
    AND THEN MY MIND SPLOT OPENNNN

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