Sunday, December 9, 2012

IOUMA MOBA SCandaL

 Not so long ago, I started a group on IOUMA (International Union of Mail Artists) as a tribute and offshoot of the fantastic and very real Museum of Bad Art  ---(soooo worth checking out you will get hours of amusement and oddly, inspiration from the art). I was informed that this name was trademarked and therefore I would not be able to use it. This is the letter from MOBA that I received. I am highly flattered that someone is protesting something  I have done. The name was instantly changed. But this letter brings up a good point. As if it isn't complicated enough to determine what makes art art, what qualifies something to be BAD art? 


Diane,
 
Yes, we have a problem. A few days ago I learned that IOUMA was using our name “ Museum Of Bad Art ”. I registered on the IOUMA site and included a note in my registration that protested your use of our name. 
 
I’m pleased that you appreciate MOBA.  Since 1996 we have a used and trademarked “ Museum Of Bad Art ” for our MOBA website, three brick-and-mortar galleries, two books, mobile app, newsletter, Facebook following, and many special events, creating a world-wide presence. I must insist that you not use our name for your group. 
 
In addition to the trademark violation, your criteria are so different from ours that I would not want anyone to conflate the two. You challenge artists to produce “bad art”. We maintain that quality bad art cannot be deliberately created. In our view, worthy pieces must first be art. That means, to us, that they must be sincere efforts. 
 
I am not challenging the legitimacy of your group nor your art challenge. It sounds interesting and worthwhile and I wish you success. But it cannot carry the name “ Museum Of Bad Art .”
 
Yours in bad art,

The Great Pacific Trash Vortex by Lee R Kendall

I LOVE this piece that reads "Hell Is Empty and all the devils are here"

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Fabulous Trashpo Entries


 Three from AneteUlmane
 Three from Bruno Neiva
 Barbara Mesquita
 Horst Baur of China
 Elise McWilliams

 Julien Rochedreux
Simon Warren

Monday, November 12, 2012

newest leaf prints




The Customer Is Always Write

 I received this via my web site contact form today. Because the customer is always right, I am mailing her a replacement keychain in hopes it will meet her criteria of 'cool art'. While I do not believe it would be possible for an altered laminate tile key chain to break, I want to provide excellent customer service. Disgruntled Customer Writes:


I bought an art box made by you out of art vending machine in Las Vegas, NV. It was a broken keychain. I feel I got ripped off $5.oo. I was hoping for some cool art. Please respond.--Name Omitted

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Photo Transfer Sheet

I am working on a big batch of 100 pieces for the Art O Mat Vending Machine and I start with a scanned mish mash of things, photo transfer it onto text to give that ghosty imagery, then this will be cut up into small sections and made into key chains.