What is tin can mail
A nostalgic topic!
Tin Can Mail, also known as "Tin Can Mail Art" or "Mail Art," is a form of art that involves sending small, creative packages or artworks through the mail. The term "Tin Can" specifically refers to the use of empty tin cans as a container for the artwork, but it can also include other types of containers, such as envelopes, boxes, or even unusual objects like bottle caps or cardboard tubes.
The concept of Mail Art, which dates back to the 1960s, is to create a unique piece of art that is sent to someone, often anonymously, through the postal system. The artwork can take many forms, such as:
- Collage: Creating a collage using paper, glue, and other materials inside the tin can or envelope.
- Drawing: Drawing or painting directly on the tin can or envelope.
- Sculpture: Creating a three-dimensional sculpture using materials like paper, fabric, or found objects inside the tin can.
- Assemblage: Assembling a collection of small objects, like buttons, beads, or other trinkets, inside the tin can.
The idea behind Tin Can Mail is to challenge traditional notions of art and its relationship to the viewer. By sending a small, often anonymous, piece of art through the mail, the artist is able to transcend geographical boundaries and connect with others in a unique way.
Tin Can Mail has become a popular form of artistic expression, with many artists and enthusiasts around the world participating in mail art exchanges, where they send and receive artworks through the mail.