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Mysterious Letters
We intend to write to everyone in the world..
In April 2009, we sent a personal, handwritten letter to each of the 467 households in the small Irish village of Cushendall. We hoped these unsolicited letters would prompt neighbourly discussion, spreading across the town, promoting community curiosity.
In November 2009, we sent another bundle of letters, this time 620, to each home in Polish Hill, Pittsburgh, USA.
The art work consists solely of the discussion between the recipients about what on Earth these letters are, who sent them and why, etc.
Lenka Clayton & Michael Crowe
In April 2009, we sent a personal, handwritten letter to each of the 467 households in the small Irish village of Cushendall. We hoped these unsolicited letters would prompt neighbourly discussion, spreading across the town, promoting community curiosity.
In November 2009, we sent another bundle of letters, this time 620, to each home in Polish Hill, Pittsburgh, USA.
The art work consists solely of the discussion between the recipients about what on Earth these letters are, who sent them and why, etc.
Lenka Clayton & Michael Crowe
You two are both complete fucking idiots. You have failed at art, and at life in general.
ReplyDeleteIt figures that you're both British. Shouldn't you be focused on more important things? Like attempting to oppress Northern Ireland or doing something other than other than paying attention to your dental hygiene? I hope the I.R.A. bombs the both of you into oblivion. Idiots.
ReplyDeleteI let my baby sleep late in your honor, (maybe too late)
ReplyDeleteI adore all of your artsy letters and postcards. Very very inspirational! I love it! And it has inspired my friend and I to write letters, like yours', to each other through our new blog. 8DD Have a good day.
ReplyDeleteI made it! It was a thrillride of smiles. I'm in awe of you both.
ReplyDeleteFor those of you geniuses who haven't realized it, "Polish Hill" is an area in Pittsburgh full of Poles, Many of whom spent time in concentration camps. These letters have frightened and disturbed many residents in the area. This is a stupid project and is, technically, mail fraud. Thus illegal. Morons.
ReplyDeleteTwo comments from Polish Hill:
ReplyDeletehttp://blogski.phcapgh.org/?p=1574
I just read about this in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette and checked out the site. I have to say, I think it is brilliant!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE your project. Please put Oak Park, Michigan, on your list. I want a letter from you!
ReplyDeleteA glorious, precious, delicious, wonderful idea.
ReplyDeleteI bow, with genuine respect, to your efforts.
I love your idea, and I'm excited that you've chosen Pittsburgh, my home, as your second location and that Lenka has moved here. I'm only disappointed that my apartment is not in Polish Hill. Here's hoping that another Pittsburgh neighborhood is coming up!
ReplyDeleteAs a cashier, I send anonymous thank-you cards to customers. It's not often that people take the time to really be nice to a "lowly" cashier, so I thank the ones who do.
ReplyDeleteI think your idea is very clever. Of course, there will always be people who might not get it but I am sure your letters are bringing cheer to many you send to! Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteWarmly,
Tina
This is such an intriguing, yet straightforward, and perhaps intriguing exactly because it is so straightforward, idea. Best of luck on carrying this project forward: I can't wait to receive ours.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletewe really need more people in the world like you two! People who are willing to bring our society closer one step (or letter) at a time. Keep up the good work!!!!
ReplyDeletep.s. don't forget about Huntington Beach, CA!
:)
It is such a unique thing that you two are doing. In this day, people are more content to hide in their abodes and not mingle and get to know their neighbors. I think you have brought a small piece of Pittsburgh and the world together with your project. Thank you for putting yourselves out on a limb. By the way, send some to Copperas Cove, Texas, U.S.A.
ReplyDeleteWow! It's disturbing at first but knowing that everyone received a letter and it's part of an art project totally warmed me up :)
ReplyDeleteI love the idea so keep it up! Don't listen to those who hate this, they don't know how an artist think :)
Lots of love from the Philippines :)
This is a very cool idea! I'm sorry that some took offense to it, but I think it has not only helped people grow closer, but also realize that "snail mail" is a lot more intimate than a quick e-mail. Keep it up Michael and Lenka! I'm in Dearborn Heights, MI when you get to it.
ReplyDeletei cant wait to receive my letter! please dont forget me, I'm in american canyon, CA (: i would enjoy writing back to you. ive never had a penpal before.
ReplyDeleteYOU GUYS SHOULD WRITE TO YHE PEOPLE IN MY TOWN HERE! IT WOULD BE CRAZY! I LIVE IN CHALK RIVER, ONTARIO, CANADA... it's a small town with a nuclear plant and a lot of canadian forces personnel here. it would be awesome if you could make a stir here..
ReplyDeleteInteresting and amusing. :) Looking forward to hearing from you someday. Best wishes!
ReplyDeleteFascinating and brilliant. How the hell can you write so many letters and have so many clever ideas for each? How many do you do per day? Do Montgomery County PA!!
ReplyDeleteThis is absolutely the most incredible thing I've ever seen.
ReplyDeleteFantastical! Write me! I will write back! 2208 Collingwood Court, Brooklyn MI 49230. ~Charra
ReplyDeletep.s. Do you like cheese?
Lovely!
ReplyDeleteEliza From Margate, Florida (coral bay)
This is awsome! With e-mail now, letters are soon to be extinct. Please send me one!
ReplyDeleteKarem Maldonado
6614 Muckelroy St A
Houston, TX 77076
What a waste of time, you 2 need to find a full time job!
ReplyDeleteThis is so awesome! It may be a little creepy at first but knowing that it's an art project I feel that it isn't a waste of time. You guys are actually bringing people together! I wish I could get one I live in FL XD
ReplyDeleteWow, some people just enjoy being out and out rude about anything... please ignore them. I hope that sooner than later, you'll put the Montrose neighborhood of Houston (77006 zip code) on your list... I would love to get a letter, as would a lot of residents. We love nothing more than art in Montrose, our elderly people are less likely to be afraid, and best of all, we are pretty much twit-free around here!
ReplyDeleteWE want a wierd letter!! this is so awesome!!! George & Tasha
ReplyDelete1609 McDonald
89030
OOPS I was typing too fast and didn't get the whole address..
ReplyDelete1609 E. McDonald Ave.
North Las Vegas, NV 89030
Mahalo Nui Loa and much ALOHA to you two!!
This is a very clever project and it seems to be inspired by kindness. I am sorry for those who felt afraid. I hope they have been reassured that it is meant in the spirit of sharing. I would love to see your responses from the people who received your lovely letters. Or will that be another project?
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
It makes me wish that I lived on Polish Hill. What a neat idea -- and how smile-bringing of you to do it. :o)
ReplyDeleteI WANT A LETTER! this is so cool c;
ReplyDeletegood luck!
A long time ago, while living in Niagara Falls, NY, around 1990? I received a black postcard that seemed rather nonsensical. It had a stamp of young elvis and someone had drawn a white skeleton to match his body. I don't remember most of the nonsense it said except that it said, "Have you ever been to Alfred?" (Which is another town in NY.) The handwriting and style bear a striking resemblance to your letters here. Any chance this was your handiwork?
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love this art project. I've read almost every letter on this blog, and with each one, I imagined myself receiveing the letter and what I'd think/feel/wonder about. And I imagine that was what your intent was, or at least partially. I've also read several of the comments on here, some claiming that it's not an art project, but I beg to differ... art evokes all sorts of emotions from people. One person may feel energized by a painting, while another may be quite annoyed by the same piece of art. For me, it has brought out the feeling of being loved, thought of, and how I hope others feel when they receive a letter or card from me (because I do still send them to my friends). The intent wasn't to harm people, surely; rather, to see what happens when an entire neighborhood receives a letter from a stranger on the same day. I think it's a lovely idea, and I hope that it inspires people to write letters and cards (either to people they do know, or to mimic your idea). It's a lost art... perhaps that's the "irony" of it.
ReplyDeletethe person who said you failed at art obviously doesn't understand art! I love this Idea and I would be touched to receive a letter from someone I didn't know! You guys are great keep up the good works!!!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI honestly can't choose a favorite :]
ReplyDeleteRight On.
I totally love this. This is so awesome. I hope I get one someday!
ReplyDelete353 West Main Street
ReplyDeleteNorth Adams, MA 01247
I love this idea. I wonder how mysterious it will be now that this is circulating on the web. Still, the work you are doing is quite beautiful. I hope you share the beauty with my little, rural Alaskan town soon! :-)
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Dear Lenka and Michael,
ReplyDeleteI was lucky enough to receive one of your letters. It was an amazing thing to to and has brought a smile to my day. I only moved to Polish Hill 2 months ago, and it is great to be part of this project. Since you wrote me, I thought I would write back a bit. You mentioned Anton Babinski syndrome in your post-card. Ironically, one of the doctor's who named it has the same name as me - Gabriel Anton. Anyways, I am not sure what your interests are, but I hope that you are both having a great holiday season. Please feel free to write me back, and if you are ever in the pittsburgh area, feel free to get a hold of me and I can give you a tour of some amazing places.
Best,
Gabriel G.