There are a few more images uploaded to flicker: here and here, as well as andrew cooke's latest on his own site (+ his final blue).

As you can see there aren't that many uploaded to flickr for the last round. We've experienced more nixing, shirking, flaking out and legitimate life-changes/crises this round. Given that each partner of the set is making a unique piece of art for the other, and is usually not paired with anyone else, it can be harsh to not get anything in return.

Currently, we're carrying over the same list of participants month after month.

What do people think of making it a requirement that to be carried over to the next round a picture or scan of your art needs to make it on to flickr and tagged before the 10th of each month? It's the only possible solution I can see to weeding out those who are no longer participating, and haven't informed us of it.

I'd love to hear other ideas about ways to ensure that people aren't overloaded with too many obligations to make their art, and yet, also keep their end of the bargain up with their swap-buddy.

I figure it's a little late in the game for this to be implemented this round, so the rule (unless we find a better one) will go into effect for the art mailed out on Sept. 1.

If you need to opt out for any reason, please e-mail mefimailswap at gmail either before the swap-lists go out (some time tomorrow), or after you get the e-mail (because you aren't reading this in time) so adjustments can be made. You can always opt back in later if need be.

The theme for the mail art that will have a mail off date of Sept 1. is:
"The Five Elements: Earth, Air, Fire, Water, Ether."

Hey There, Newly Interested Person: If you want to get in on the mail swap action, e-mail your (user)name and physical mail address to the mefimailswap at gmail e-mail address before the end of the day today (Eastern) and I'll include you in the swap-set. The basics are this: you get partnered up, you make a piece of postcard sized art and take a picture of it or scan it and upload that image to flickr with the tag "mefimailswap" and then you mail the postcard sized art to your pal. Right now, we do themes. Rinse, repeat each month.

I see it's back up now....well. sigh. whatever. I'll cross post it, here, then I'll just check in on both comment areas.

Hey fork, I don't have a digital camera, so I asked bear (my swap partner) to take a pic and post it for me. However, I don't see my piece up, even though I know he's got it. Is there a problem with my system, or has bear maybe not posted it yet...? What's the best way to get my pieces posted if I don't have a camera? How can I deal with my feelings of inadequacy and poverty?

Speck, you've put your finger on the problem with the potential new rule and all that: I hear they call it the digital divide, but what do I know? I don't have a digital camera either, nor a cell phone. (I do have a scanner, though and will travel). Clearly, I don't know much. Well, I do know that Bear doesn't have a flickr account which is also another snag in the system. That's why I posted his for him, though my account is on probation at flickr still so it's just a comedy of errors.

Originally, there were some folks who volunteered to do some scanning, uploading, etc. for others. I'd like to see that spirit of volunteerism return to this once great natio.. the Art Swap. I'm just a glorified traffic cop when it come to the swap. I bet that there's someone out there who can help us both.



[crickets]



If you e-mail Bear and tell him to send me the file, I'll happily post it. We'll also have to figure out a long term solution to some of these things though and that's where I want to put this aggregate consciousness to the test.

Swapsets went out today. If you're expecting an e-mail and didn't seem to get one, write mefimailswap at gmail to get sorted out.