“This piece, a functional mailbox, was built with reclaimed materials from a cabinet in the gallery’s backyard and from the walls and studs of a dismantled storage space in the homeowner’s studio. The structure contains evidence of disregard and deterioration: with it’s chipped paint, rotting MDF and lichen growth. The design is based on the mailboxes that are common in the multi-unit homes that have sprung up in the neighborhood in the past several years.
My interest in mail art is that it’s very personal. It connects people in a world that is becoming increasingly alienating. I like the idea of an object traveling a certain distance, and the time it takes to reach from one person to another. There’s also the imperfections it takes on and the different hands it goes through leaving traces that are unseen to us.”
Chris J. Staats sculpture Alexandria (Gallery Mailbox) is now open as a space for exchanging objects. This is an open-curated space and anyone is allowed to deliver and pick-up art for free. Alexandria (Gallery Mailbox) is located in the backyard at 1620 North Richmond Street in the Humboldt Park Neighborhood of Chicago. There is no need to contact Uss Gallery Nomadic Projects to exchange artwork. But if you would like to text or call, contact Gregory Fitzsimmons at 312-508-2591.