> contents / Gianni Simone - Japan / interview by Sztuka Fabryka (2000) /

1. How and when did you become involved in Mail-Art?

My Mail-Art history actually has a prehistory too. Back in 1989, I found some info about this mysterious thing in an Italian magazine. I was fascinated by the projects I read about and decided to get a taste of it by 'organising' a project myself. I say 'organise', but I only sent my Mail-Art call to that magazine. As a consequence I received only a bunch of contributions, that I still have, by the way. The interesting thing is that among those works, there were a couple of postcards made by Giovanni Strada. Anyway, after that experience I all but forgot about Mail-Art.
Fast forward eight years, and in December 1997 I found in a book shop in my hometown "Arte Postale" by Vittore Baroni, whom I already knew as a rock music journalist. Reading that book was like discovering a new world of possibilities. I soon found myself ordering some of the zines Baroni had written about and, armed with a copy of Global Mail, I definitely joined the Network.

2. Can you give us a short C.V. of your Mail-Art activities from the beginning till now?

1997: "I knew Him Well", is an add-and-return postcard project. It's still ongoing, though quite asleep recently.
1998: "Johnnyboy for President", is a performance I did in Tokyo with a friend of mine, and my contribution to the Incongruous Meetings.
1999: "Greetings from Around the World", is a postcard performance I repeat nearly every year, in summer.
2000: "Kairan", is the Mail-Art zine, formerly known as "Numero", that I publish since May 2000.
2000/1: "Key #164", is a project revolving around a mysterious key, and the first instalment of the "Chance" Series.
2000/1: "Remix", is an add-and-return project.

3. What are your specific activities within Mail-Art?

At the beginning of 2000 I've replaced Wilfried Nold as editor and publisher of "Numero", a Mail-Art zine devoted to the discussion of Mail-Art and networking related matters. The new version is called "Kairan" and is published twice a year, in May and November. Apart from this project, that takes up a good part of my time, I'm especially interested in using Mail-Art to promote social and 'political' consciousness and commitment. One of the means by which I try to reach this goal are my "JohnnyPost" artistamps.