Introduction

Post Sense is a personal project. It is ignited by an interest in Mail Art. This project signifies part of my MA Fine Art research. The research explores how we can become more embodied in landscape through our senses. This exploration serves as a way of discovering a greater sense of connection.

Mail Art was a popular art movement which centered on sending small scale art works through the postal system. I was inspired by the distinctive collages of Ray Johnson. I embarked on a journey to create collaged postcards using recycled magazines. This aligns with the simplicity valued in the Fluxus movement of the 50’s and 60’s. Mail Art grew out of this simplicity.

I collaged images that connected to landscape, history and place. I drew reference from some specific Lundy sites. These include The Lost and Forgotten Heinkels, Marisco Castle, and the Knights Templar. I also found inspiration from Artist Postcards featured in a compendium by Cooper J (2012). I took ideas from featured artists, like David Hockney and Max Ernst. These will all be featured in a book alongside photographs of posting the card in the letterbox and its response.

Lundy Letterboxing

Letterboxing started on Dartmoor and is now enjoyed on Lundy. The hidden boxes have clues to follow. Once you find a letterbox, it holds a rubber stamp. You need to collect all the letterbox stamps in a book to finish the challenge. Over several months, I regularly walked. I placed them in one of the 28 hidden letterboxes. These letterboxes are located around the 3 mile long island.

Many were not easy to find. It was normal for me to find it once, then forget its location upon returning! You can see from my GPS location tracking that sometimes the boxes were a challenge to find.

I used the postcards as research for my MA project. I wanted to find out how people used their senses to feel embodied in the landscape. To achieve this, I asked finders to write on the reverse of the card. They noted which of their senses was most heightened whilst in the Lundy landscape.

Returned Postcards

I had pre-stamped the cards, to help increase their chance of being returned. I asked the finder to write on the card. Then, I requested them to post it using the private Lundy Postal system. The card was sent to an address on the Mainland. In total, I posted 70 cards. Of these, 68 have been returned. This is an excellent response rate. It demonstrates the amount of engagement with the project.

The content of the returned cards exhibited a wide range of responses. Overall, the responses generally aligned with expectations. Sight was the most frequently referenced sense. Responses ranged from succinct single words like ‘seeing.’ Some included double words like ‘spectacular views.’ Others were more elaborate and encapsulated multiple senses. For instance, one postcard vividly described, ‘hearing sheep, puffins, goats.’ It also mentioned ‘smelling the sea, touching the rocks, hearing the wind.’ Additionally, it captured ‘tasting the food, feeling the salt in the air, and seeing amazing views.’ Sound also played a significant role, with mentions of ‘crashing waves against rocks’ and the ‘sound of ringing bells.’ Touch-related experiences were shared, describing the battering wind and rain on their faces and bodies. Some cards bore the personal stamp of the finder, echoing the Fluxus art movements love of the rubber stamp.

A couple of respondents referred to senses beyond the traditional five. One mentioned a spiritual sense. Kumar (2009) echoes this sentiment by saying, ‘I can sense the sacred all around me’ (pg 22). Surprisingly, no one reported a sixth sense. Thompson (2022) (pg 287) and Gooley (2014) (pg 49) mentioned ‘Proprioception.’ This refers to the sense of position and movement of our limbs. Notably, fewer responses delved into the less emphasised senses of touch, smell, and taste. Nevertheless, those that did described the ‘firm texture of rocks.’ They also noted the ‘smoothness of small stones.’ Additionally, they mentioned the ‘noticeable smell of clean, unpolluted air’ and the taste of salt in the air.’

Exhibition

Conclusion

Post Sense is a remarkable embodiment of the inherent strength found in communal art sharing. It exemplifies the enriching bond between artistic expression and the distinctive spirit of Lundy Island. This extraordinary project captures the island’s inherent beauty. It also fosters a profound exploration of the senses. It truly immerses and engages all who meet it.

A beautiful book featuring all the postcards will soon be available. It includes photographs capturing the letterboxes they were placed in. If you’re interested in purchasing a copy, please contact Jane.sharkey@live.co.uk.