Mail art by DharmaDaDa Neil Gordon (Torrington, Connecticut, USA)

Trashpo (and the accompanying DKult of trashpoets) has been a network activity for about a decade. (Opinions differ – of course – about where and when Trashpo started.)

The popular consensus is that Trashpo began with postings by visual poet Jim Leftwich (Virginia, USA) on Fluxlist in 2007. Diane Keys (Illinois, USA) brought Trashpo to network popularity circa 2010. Trashpo – perhaps – has seen its nascence; however, it is still made and we still have avid, head-banging “DKulters.” Trashpo seems to have made a lasting impression on the Eternal Network.

Trashpo produced mail art stars (as much as that is possible) who were named in the various fanzines and on collector cards (yes, there were actual Trashpo fanzines and collector cards) as “Legends of Trashpo” or “Trashpo All-Stars.” This was a rare honor and some will recall Neil Gordon was an official “Legend of Trashpo” who brought a “first thought best thought,” rugged, ragged Punk aesthetic that helped define Trashpo at a crucial time in its evolution.

I have to rely on memory to list other official “Legends of Trashpo,” so I will probably miss some. They include Diane Keys (of course), KDJ (yes, she is a real person), Ernie Baer, Borderline Graphics, Richard Canard, Marla Kittler, Mail Art Martha and others

Many “Legends of Trashpo” are retired from the network or are less active than in the halcyon days when Trashpo was spreading across the globe. This is very understandable, so I am thrilled to receive the occasional piece from Neil Gordon. It is the flawless work of a master and originator. Time for a close-up:

People still ask me, “What is Trashpo?” After a long time struggling with cogent answers, the best I can say is, “It’s whatever Neil Gordon does. It’s whatever Diane Keys does.” Neil Gordon has sent the perfect Trashpo composition here, right down to his signature tea bag wrapper.

Neil Gordon sent an altered junk mail letter, but my printer insisted on chopping it up:

There it is! Authentic Trashpo made by a legendary master! Superb!

Thanks Neil!