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SUN of FUN - Second Universal Nexus of FUNtastic United Nations
PARCO Fundation - Casier (TV) Italy - 3-11 September 2005
curated by Vittore Baroni/E.O.N. Archive and John Held Jr.

In the year 2001 the Funtastic United Nations project (F.U.N.) was launched by Piermario Ciani and Vittore Baroni’s AAA Editions, with the intention of offering a bridge between creative and imaginary geographical entities. In its first five years of activity, F.U.N. has produced several collective and individual philatelic emissions devoted to characters, events and mythologies of funtastic countries. But alternative and artist’s postage stamps can also rely on a long (pre)history predating to the very origins of philately, as the greatest expert in the field James Warren Felter elaborates in his book Artistamps - Francobolli d’Artista, published in 2000 by AAA.

In this new show Prehistory of FUNtastamps we have tried to explore, with Egyptologist fervour, the fertile and in many respects still mysterious tradition of postage stamps emitted by virtual geographical entities. We therefore immersed ourselves in the most obscure recesses of our archives to bring back to light ancient and recent gems, rocks and nuggets heavy with history and memories from an era preceding the birth of F.U.N..

A series of “geological formations” - blow-ups of original pieces mounted on cardboard and grouped in multicoloured configurations - document chronologically or thematically the works of over a hundred authors from more than fifty imaginary countries. Some of these artists, such as John Held and buZ blurr, will be at Sun of Fun in person to illustrate the motivations and myths behind their philatelic output. For the rest, in the best interactive tradition of mail art, it is up to the shrewd visitor to observe, investigate and imagine what of an evocative or subversive nature is hidden behind these fascinating perforated miniatures that Jas Felter has called “iconic symbols of global civilization”.

Authors: A. Ackerman, R. Altemus, A. Arauyo, A. Banana, G. Barbot, V. Baroni, K. Bates, M. Bidner, G. Bleus, M. Bloch, Boog, A. Boschi, R. Bouws, A. Brandtner, A. Brignull, K.J. Bryson, D. Bulatov, buZ Blurr, G.T. Byrd, M.Canterel, Carlo Pittore, G. A. Cavellini, A. Cheek, Chicco Prog, C. Chickadel, P. Ciani, A. Cornyn-Selby, Creative Thing, R. Crozier, Dave, M.H. De Luna, R. De Meester, M. Dickau, M. Diotallevi, J. Dixon, Dogfish, Dominique, S. Dworski, D. Evans, Ever Arts, A. Fallico, W. Farley, J.W. Felter, L. Fierens, H.R. Fricker, P. Gaglione, G. Galantai, J. Garnica, G.E. Marx Vigo, M. Gemin, B. Grenville, Harley, P.K. Harris, J. Held. Jr, E.F. Higgins III, M. V. Hitrovo, M. Hosszu, J. Hubaut, Irwin/Laibach, S. Jackson, R. Johnson, Joki, G. Juri, P.W. Kaufmann, A. Kholopov, H. King, Y. Klein, M. Lagerwerf, N. Lamanova, M. Leigh, B. Licher, G. Maciunas, T. Mancusi, Merz Mail, J. Motheson, P. Netmail Kustermann, R. Nikonova, Nonlocal Variable, C. Padin, C. Pallara, G. Perneczky, P. Petasz, F. Piri Focardi, M. Polland, G.M. Ponzi, Prof. Bad Trip, M. Rastorfer, G. Ruch, B. Saved, K. Schwesig, D. Sinclair, Skooter, S. Smith, G. Sør-Reime, J. Spiroux, The Sticker Dude, R. Summers, Tartarugo, M. Thompson, E. Tót, E. Varney, B. Vautier, E. Antonio Vigo, R.M. Watts, C. Welch, M. Wilson, R.Wood.

Nations: Abstractica, ACCR, Achterdijk, Adanaland, Arky of Toast, Atlantis, Aurora Islands, Bimbolonia, Birdland, Black/White Continent, Bufo, Bunnyland, Canadada, Cyberia, Dao Badao, Deh Sedang, Doo Da Land, Empire of Ladd, Envelope Slopes, Epidemic Republic, Fantippo, Fluxus Islands, Free Vinland, Injoke Peninsula, Karenni, Kemp Land, Kingdom of Edelweiss, Kingdom of Elvis, Kingdom of Mikia, Mozzarella Face Island, Mraur, Nadorp, Napoleon Islands, Nerieni Atoll, Netland, Nowitaland, NSK, Occussi-Ambeno, Place of Rage, Planet X, Queendom of Banana, Savage Land, Sedang, Spilkammeret, State of Being, Stickerland, Surrealville, Terra Candella, Terra Incognita, Terra Nuda, Tui Tui, Turtle Island, Upper Yafa, Wandaland.

 Copyright © by Vittore Baroni - vittorebaroni@alice.it