I've really been enjoying the new abstract expressionist stamps from the USPS. As soon as I saw them I stocked up and bought several sheets, and I've been gradually parcelling them out. I'll probably save a few just to look at. Not only do they liven up any envelope, they help spread the gospel of creativity.
Wouldn't you rather find one of these on a letter than another flag in the corner you've seen a million times?
The post office has also done stamps featuring photographers/ photography. Recent posts on PhotoEphemera show many examples. Generally I find these stamps less exciting. Maybe it's because they are black and white? Or maybe it's because they tend to focus on the photographer rather than an specific photographs? I don't know what it is exactly but I wouldn't go out of my way to buy a sheet of them, even the Winogrand one.
On the envelope these photographer stamps wait patiently on the corner like a fly-on-the-wall street shooter. If you're not already a photographer, chances are you'd hardly notice.
But the new abstract expressionist stamps just nail it. The sizes vary from large to way big. The colors are bold and eye catching. If I were an average person checking my mailbox, I'd feel like I just walked into a Chelsea gallery. "What the heck is that giant splotch in the corner?!"
Good wake up call, USPS. Now do the same for photography.
Are you freakin' kidding me? A garry winogrand stamp? that's huge! I was fairly shocked when I saw the photography stamps a few years ago, and I bought them right away. Until then I would have only expected to see an ansel adams stamp, but I realized that day that photography had hit the big time for sure.
ReplyDeleteplease, please send me a post card with the Clifford Still stamp... wow he's the business! you'll have to put it in an envolope as I live in UK and send it that way so the stamp isn't ruined!! they're beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteThat Motherwell image is said to influenced by an Aaaron Siskind photo of rocks.
ReplyDeletehttp://images.artnet.com/artwork_images_425589741_402562_aaron-siskind.jpg
great set of stamps!
Jon
I do like the Winogrand stamp and I think it's a pretty provocative choice from all his images. It's just that compared to the painting stamps it seems rather plain. Maybe this is a microcosm of the real world and reflects general attitudes toward photography? People get more excited by 8 foot color splashes than 8" silver gelatin prints? I guess in this case I'm guilty.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you. I live in a podunk 60 miles north of you. Not much culcha here (some, just not much). But walking into the PO and seeing those stamps made my month.
ReplyDelete