=Mail Art from Neil Gordon, Connecticut=

This large-windowed, repurposed envelope makes an intriguing preview presentation for the art teasingly half-concealed within:

I must admit myself to be inordinately, almost childishly fascinated with cellophane panels on envelopes. They tempt with what I imagine to be secrets, forbidden information, hidden treasure. They are like looking through a keyhole into another room or into the self-contained world of an aquarium, an environment from which you are ordinarily, even constitutionally, excluded, except as voyeur. In the case of a letter, however, provided you are the addressee, you are specifically invited inside. Who can resist?

A closer look at the contents reveal an artful arrangement of ephemera, including a torn prescription label, a scrap of text concerning "abnormalities in the brain, and some asemic doodling. The red string running roughly down the center "ties together" the left and right sides of the piece, balancing the vintage b&w photo of an ornately dressed woman and the Situationist-style image of the thrice-repeated figure in the suit and tie.

Say hello to Ed Regets, if you'd like. A typical banking vampire from the looks of him. This (vintage?) magazine sheet was included in the package; on the reverse side, a guy that looked like a 70s porn star, complete with mustache, was offering Winston Lights. 

In the foreground is the reverse side of the substrate used for the piece above. Hormel Roast Beef Hash?! I never knew they made such a thing. It's "homestyle" though, prepared by someone named "Mary Kitchen," so it must be good, right? Check out the recipe for Puffed Hash Omelet if you're feeling particularly adventurous.

Do I detect a bit of irony in the play of old elements and new, health/drugstore elements on one side of the piece, canned meats and cigarettes on the other? Maybe I'm just reading too much into it.

In any event, it's great fun to look at. Thank you Neil for this "nourishing" work!