Shadow Celebrations

2006-05-01T13:29:00.000-07:00

TO THE MEMORY OF

MARILYN DAMMANN

AKA SHADOW

Marilyn at Eagle River, Lake Superior

August 1, 1995 - photo by Guido Vermeulen

Artwork by MD on "transformation", a contribution to my project "Signs & Stones in the moonlight" (GV) The transformation now is completed.

2006-04-28T06:16:00.000-07:00

During the 18th independent arts festival in St Niklaas, Belgium (between April 21-23, 2006) a tribute was organized to Marilyn Dammann: artist books, notebooks, photos, ATC, watercolors, an organic chess play, poetry ... all this was shown in 2 glass cases and on one wall, part of the Earth Charter installation

The whole collection was the result of a collaboration between Geert De Decker, Guido Vermeulen and Marilyn of course ...

2006-04-01T00:11:00.000-08:00

Dedicated to Marilyn Dammann:

The best way to escape one's own death is to find a common language with our shadows

W.R. Melnikow, RUSSIA

2005-09-01T15:30:00.000-07:00

Mail received today, 11 October 2005

Dear Guido,

I am really shocked when I heard from Diane Bertrand (Canada) that Marilyn died.
As you know I am a slow mail artist, but Marilyn answered all the time quickly.
Therefore and because I was not in Vienna I got the message so late.
Our letters included 2, 3 or more pages of written conversations and several pieces of art work.
She is the best and my deepest, dearest mail art friend.
I am very sad.
May her soul find the way to the light, to god.
Please if you have more information let me know.
All the best,

Alexander Charistos, AUSTRIA

TRIBUTE TO SHADOW who was my highlight in mail art.
Listen to the silence she left.
May God bless her soul.

2005-09-01T15:10:00.000-07:00

Amazing, today September 26 K.Frank Jensen from Denmark arrived in Brussels and we had a meeting. One of the items he gave me was this TAROT ICON card on the Empress. He intended to mail this to Marilyn but her passing prevented the mail. So instead he kept it and decided it to give it to me when we met.
An emotional moment I can assure you.

The card is the result of some water damage, so very close to Marilyn's ephemeral art creations. On the card Frank wrote:

"Empress of the ceiling
After watery damage the Empress emerged from the sky,
impressing herself upon me:
Here I am, take me, do something to me!
Her demands were inevitable and now she has gone,
leaving only a photographic impression of herself."

On the back of the card: November 2004 for Marilyn
September 2005, and now for Guido

Thank you Frank! What a print this is and how truly truly shadowlike (GV)

2005-09-01T14:07:00.000-07:00

Center page of the art zine "THE CLIFFS SOUNDINGS", a memorial to M.D.

Vertin Press Publication, Calumet, Michigan, USA, Summer 2005

Comment from the zine:

"Marilyn Dammann lived in the Keweenaw Bay watershed of Lake Superior, where she explored the infinite possibilities of the natural world, her work was inspired by the poetry, the mystery and magic, the rhythms and patterns of the earth. May we all remember the beauty of Marilyn."

2005-09-01T14:01:00.000-07:00

Dear Guido,

Yes, its very sad news to hear of Marilyn's passing, she will me missed in all our hearts and arts.
Field Study is holding a show as hommage, I will send you photos once they are taken.

All my best wishes
David

Shadow In The Landscape
Marilyn Dammann Memorial Exhibition
4 - 17 June 2005

FRONT Artspace 79 Ryrie Street Geelong AUSTRALIA

Marilyn Dammann, American environmental artist, sculptor and artistbook maker, died suddenly on May 22, leaving a large void in the mailart network and the field of environmental art. This exhibition, a homage from the archive of Field Study International, features artistbooks, documentations of installations and correspondence spanning over a decade.

Marilyn referred to herself as SHADOW, an expression of how she worked with nature. Rather than transforming natural materials into artifacts, she worked in the environment and her mark was no more than a trace; she created temporary installations that change with time and the effect of the elements.

This exhibition is the first time such a large body of Marilyn's work has been shown in Australia. It features many of her interventions in nature and the SHADOW at work.

For more information contact David Dellafiora, AUSTRALIA

Email fluxusstudy@hotmail.com

2005-09-01T10:04:00.000-07:00

Hello Guido,

I'm grieving for Shadowork. I loved her very, very beautiful mail art and now I regret it's too late to say this to her in a letter.

Isabelle Vannobel wrote me the terrible news.

In June I could not participate to the tributes, so I did one in Arles on July 19 at the "Bourse du Travail". I made a performance, a mail art archives exhibition and a tribute to M.D.
Later, during a mail art exhibition in the town of Le Caylar on August 5 I hung up a Shadow mail art piece on birds. Lots of members of the association joined me to honor Marilyn's memory.

Marielle Conte, FRANCE

2005-09-01T09:58:00.000-07:00

Poem written on June 26
and art work
by Steffen Markus, SWITZERLAND

Steffen mailed this Tatjana Neuber in Germany who forwarded it to me
(GV)

2005-08-29T14:04:00.000-07:00

These trees near Lake Suviana

are a tribute to

THE SOUL

of Marilyn Dammann

Massimo Medola, ITALY

2005-08-28T04:28:00.000-07:00

Photo: Monica and Olivier at my 50th birthday party
in Brussels, March 2004. (GV)
Dear Guido,

I am writing to you from Madrid to express my condolences at the loss of your friend.

I am sure she always wanted you to be a strong and active person promoting peace through mailart, so I have no doubt you will continue doing that even more to honor her memory.
I hope you will be all right during this period of mourning.

With best regards,
O
Olivier Urbain, JAPAN/ BELGIUM
T:AP Network Coordinator
olivierurbain@yahoo.com
http://www.tapnet.info

Dear Guido,
My most sincere condolences to you and the family.
Always.

Mo
Monica Arac de Nyeko, UGANDA

T:AP member
aracdenyeko@yahoo.com

2005-08-27T03:36:00.000-07:00

Dear Guido,

This is indeed very sad; Marilyn contributed some beautiful artwork to my issue of Friour (including the cover), and I had a wonderful, if brief, correspondence with her.

Please send my condolences to her family and community.

In peace,

Marisa Antonaya, THAILAND / SPAIN

T:AP member
plnet@mac.com

Cover of issue 3 of Friour Network Magazine, produced by Marisa with cover art by Marilyn

2005-08-27T00:14:00.000-07:00

For June 26,

International Memorial Day

to honor Marilyn Dammann

aka Shadow,

Giovanni Strada, Italy

stradada@libero.it

2005-08-26T14:55:00.000-07:00

Dear Guido,

The loss of a friend, a companera, an artist, is always sad and a great loss. Can you tell us more about her and the gallery - where it is etc.
No one can be replaced but try to be a "Marilyn" to someone else.

The Latin Americans, I learned, when I lived in Nicaragua, believe that a fallen comrade who worked for truth and justice is always with us. They call out their names at events and the answer always comes PRESENTE.

Theresa Wolfwood, CANADA
bbcf@islandnet.com
T:AP member
http://www.islandnet.com/~bbcf/

For a friend

too swift her journey
so brief our time
this arrow of brilliance
shaft of energy
radiating light
warming
brief holding
creating love
she pierced the infinite
she marked us
with
the assurance
of a calligrapher’s brush
her long thin fingers
slipping by
leaving
compassion
ephemeral beauty
grace
insight…………
then hurled into a larger universe
a meteorite shower of brilliant seconds
transformed our world
an irrevocable gift………
we remain earthbound
and clutch her zeitgeist.

(c) TW

2005-08-25T09:07:00.000-07:00

Guido,

Thank you for the newsletter. Sorry to hear about the fallen artist. Sounds like she was an inspiration to many.
Great to hear about the tribute / celebration of her life!

Enclosed is a tape from my project of 12 years,
SONIC DISORDER.

Enjoy it and best regards,

Erik Disorder, USA

2005-08-24T14:25:00.000-07:00

Looking for Marilyn
in "Parallel Worlds"

Rudiger Westphal,
GERMANY

ruedaxwest@gmx.de

2005-08-24T14:18:00.000-07:00

Roberto Scala, ITALY

robertoscala@inwind.it

2005-08-22T10:44:00.000-07:00

Hello,

Touché par la personnalité de Marilyn Damann, je participerai humblement à la journée du 26 juin et vous envoie ma contribution.

Jean Van Cottom, BELGIUM
vancottom.jean@skynet.be

CARTAPOSTALUM was inaugurated on June 26 in Jean's house.
It contains 60 postcards of friends and relatives.
June 26 was also the 60th birthday of Jean. The compilation is dedicated to Marilyn's memory and the anniversary of the Belgian mail artist at the same time (GV)

2005-08-22T10:38:00.000-07:00

Dearest Guido,

It was important to hear from you again after such a long time but in such sad circumstances, that is sad!
I too, have had a lot of death to cope with over the past 14 months.

My longest friend Carmen died last May, aged 55/56. I have not recovered from it yet, but then my uncle died two weeks later, when he was apparently fine!
Then my friend at the allotments died after catching a virus that has become common here in our hospitals (MRSA).
My friend's lovely mum then died and now another friend's lovely mum died a week ago.
I didn't know of Shadow (as far as I know) but I am thinking of you and it was a lovely picture of your friend you sent. Thank you.

Julia Tant, ENGLAND UK

2005-08-22T10:32:00.000-07:00

Hi! Thank you Guido!

This action and card are dedicated to your friend Marilyn to join the June 26 tributes.

Bruno Capatti, ITALY

2005-08-22T10:27:00.000-07:00

Dear Friend,

Thank you for your last mail.
The passing of Marilyn Dammann is really a sad news.
I finished issue 202 of my zine "Think here" on June 26 and I have included a tribute to Shadow on page 1.
I am also sending you a contribution to your own Friour Network Magazine.

In friendship,
José Roberto Secchi, BRAZIL

Page from the zine "PENSE AQUI" (Think here) with the Shadow tribute

2005-08-22T10:14:00.000-07:00

Dear Guido,

On June 26 I decided to visit a very nice park inside Tokyo I hadn't been to in a long time. It's one one the biggest parks in the city and it's quite wild and uncultured. The problem was, late June is rain season in Japan, and that day it rained a lot all day. Plus I forgot my camera, so I couldn't record my action. Anyway, in a few words, I left some little works I had made for the occasion on the trail, and arranged stones on the site to make a heart, all the time trying to balance my big bag, my umbrella and all these things I was moving around. I'm afraid the things I left on the ground got destroyed by the rain as soon as I left. Then again, Marilyn liked to make things that eventually were bound to desappear in the environment. I think that's all. Thank you for the nice blog you made for the occasion.

Gianni Simone, JAPAN/ ITALY
jb64jp@yahoo.co.jp

NOTE
Kairan is Gianni's excellent mail art magazine, the succesor of Numero, produced by Wilfried Nold in Germany in the past. Kairan like Numero still debates hot topics in mail art but also is a forum for mail art themes or subjects: Femail art, mail art in Latin America, mail art in former Yugoslavia, and so on. The zine published a tribute to Robin Crozier who departed from the network a few years ago. A coming issue of Kairan will publish a tribute to Marilyn Dammann and Monica Ferretti. I signed for this article (GV)

2005-08-22T10:09:00.000-07:00

June 26 tribute for Shadow

by Henk Van Ooyen,

THE NETHERLANDS

2005-08-21T03:54:00.000-07:00

2 communication pages between Miguel Jimenez "Zenon" (Spain) and Irene Ronchetti (Argentina) on the Shadow Celebrations of June 26.

2005-08-21T03:51:00.000-07:00

2005-08-20T07:00:00.000-07:00

YOU DID NOT LEAVE US, MARILYN,

YOU ONLY WENT TO
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD,

THERE WHERE TIME DOES NOT EXIST ...

Danielle Verté, BELGIUM

2005-08-20T06:49:00.000-07:00

Bonjour Guido,

Oui c'est une triste nouvelle. Un jour ça sera toi, puis moi - ou moi, puis toi.
J'ai aussi un ami artiste qui est mort d'un cancer il y a quelques mois (le mari de Josée Rochus, elle habite dans un village à 20 km d'Arlon et fait aussi du mail art). D'autres mourront et dans la plupart des cas, nous ne pouvons rien faire contre cela. Ce qu'on peut faire, c'est essayer de vivre notre relation avec ces personnes de manière juste, garder le contact, having fun, doing art... Tu connaissais Marylin mieux que moi puisque tu l'as rencontrée: je suppose et j'espère qu'elle a vécu ses passions à fond.

C'est bien qu'elle ait pu prendre congé de ses enfants et petits-enfants.
C'est bien aussi que sa maison reste un lieu consacré à l'art après sa mort...

Alain Valet, BELGIUM
ava@hengen.lu

"Ink Castles" artist book edition by A.V.

(see also the entry further in this blog of Victor Philippe, France)

2005-08-20T06:41:00.000-07:00

Marilyn introduced me in 1995 to the poetic work of Sam Hamill.
In 1997 I found this book with handwritten dedication by Mr Hamill.

When the Bush administration decided to invade Iraq Sam Hamill and friends created the movement "poets against the war" uniting 1500 poets worldwide bombarding the White House with 20 000 poems for peace.

Check: http://www.poetsagainstthewar.org/

I became a member and joined Sam's efforts thru' Friour Network Magazine, a magazine dedicated to art and peace efforts, bridging the mail art network with other peace and art networks like T:AP.

GV

2005-08-20T06:27:00.000-07:00

Dag Guido

Ik vind het heel erg voor jou! Ik weet dat je een goede band met haar had, ondanks de vele kilometers die jullie scheidden.

Misschien zijn die kilometers nu verdwenen en kom je haar tegen in elke "shadow".

Grtjs
Inge Schets, BELGIUM

Inge wrote: "I know that you had a good connection with Marilyn despite the many miles seperating both of you. Maybe the miles have disappeared now and you will meet her in every Shadow."

Photo: Shadow and mask play in my garden: me, Kimi, Sarah and Inge.
Kimi and Sarah are Inge's daughters. (GV)

2005-08-20T06:15:00.000-07:00

Tiny painting I made on May 22, the day Marilyn passed away.

Turned this into a postcard edition to her memory and called it
"Clouds (like peace dreams) never sleep"

My friend Inge said that it was appropriate because clouds protect us against the sun and bless us by their shadows. Shadow is in every cloud...

The original has been put into an art journal on "Celebrations" which is traveling inside the mail art network like an add and pass on notebook. This idea resulted from many exchanges with Christine Tarantino (USA).

Guido Vermeulen, BELGIUM
guido.vermeulen@easynet.be

Cosmic Mind infinite by Christine Tarantino, USA
wordsoflight@netzero.net

2005-08-20T04:12:00.000-07:00

Reading signs behind the shield of a body becoming battlefield
Dedicated to Shadow

Deep blue
Tears of the moon
Face the pale white wall.

Bodies born from windows
Closing eyes dry wells
Sand in the pocket
Loophole of time

Desert waves don't sleep
Making bread instead of love
Priorities of the wind
Carving caring colors in a cup of tea

No cross to mark my grave
But a traveling feather
From caravan to caravan
Never felt better when falling down

Leaving dry skin behind
Dreaming of light sparkles
Belonging to a former existence

Lost somewhere in a suitcase
A key not looking for a lock
But banging on the egg as if it were a drum

Guido Vermeulen, Belgium

First poem on Marilyn Dammann, read by Bonnie in Baraga and by myself in Brussels during Shadow celebrations.

I started this poem in April during the visit of Dobrica Kamperelic (Serbia) and finished it just before phoning Marilyn when she told me the upsetting news that the end was near.

I realized then that my poem was a premonition, that I knew without knowing.

This poem is also mailed as a contribution to the excellent Serbian zine "SIGNAL", an international review for signalist research with as editor Miroljub Todorovic.

2005-08-20T04:05:00.000-07:00

Thank you, Guido,

for the Shadow memorial projects call and for offering to compile everything. I expect to be high in the mountains at a campground en route to Manitoba. I will definitely do something to remember her.
The idea of the shadow transformed into a cloud (shape shifting, dynamic) is really very nice. The poem is full of mournful but beauty-filled (beautiful) imagery.

I have a small pile of Marilyn's mail that I am re-reading/handling.
She made three hand sewn patchwork blankets tops for Comforter. I will post images of them on the blog today or tomorrow.
Lois Klassen, CANADA
loiszing@telus.net

PS
I have posted some words and images about Marilyn Dammann's mail art and life on my blog.
You can see and read it here:

http://loiszing.blogs.com/

TEXTfragment on the webblog:
I am sad to report that Marilyn Dammann, a committed contributor to Comforter Art-Action, died on May 22, 2005. Marilyn was known to thousands of artists around the world through through her active involvement in mail art. I have been reading and looking through the pile of creative correspondence that came to me from her over the years. I was unable to keep up with both the volume and the spiritual depth that she offered through her art. Her mailed art messages are visual poetry reflecting on the transfromations that she observed in the natural world and on her deepening spiritual connection to that world. She also sent clear messages about her concern for the state of the planet, political as well as environmental. Her compassion for the plight of refugees and war victims spurned her to include Comforter Art-Action in her creative life. The patchwork tops of the blankets pictured above were hand sewn by Marilyn and mailed to me from her home in Baraga, Michigan. I finished them with others at the most recent sewing circles this winter.
I have included some of her work in the two mailable Peace Shrines that are waiting to be mailed into the networks. I will launch these two pieces as memorials to Marilyn. Guido Vermeulen, close friend, travel companion and correspondent of Marilyn's has offered to coordinate a mail art memorial day for Marilyn on June 26th. On this day in Baraga, Marilyn's friends and family will be celebrating her life and enjoying a case of wine that she had prepared for this occasion. Guido proposes that we all do a memorial act and send him documentaiton about it. He will compile the results into a publication. Contact him at guido.vermeulen@easynet.be for more information. If you happen to be on the Upper Penninsula in June, a tribute exhibition Un Hommage a Marilyn is about to open at Gallery 325 in the Baraga Township Hall.

LOIS KLASSEN CELEBRATES JUNE 26
Pilgrim, a tribute

I have put together a couple of web pages about the tribute that I did for Marilyn Dammann on Shuswap Lake. On June 26, the day that all of Marilyn's many art correspondents and friends (around the world) were to perform some action of rememberance for her, I was traveling with my family in the British Columbia interior. A few days earlier, the book, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, by Annie Dillard, had found me. Marilyn's mail often reminded me of Dillard's writing, so I decided to mark her passing by reading this book in the woods. You can see and hear some of what transpired here:
http://www3.telus.net/sightings/pilgrim.html.

Lois reading the Pilgrim, June 26, ATC edition as a tribute to artist and correspondent M.D.

2005-08-20T03:53:00.000-07:00

Dear Guido,

I wanted this to be with you for the June 26th memorial.
It is a duplicate of a mailing I sent to Marilyn's family (minus my personal letter).
I am okay but the tears come at unexpected moments.
Marilyn was so generous and I will miss her presence in my life.
It has been good to pay tribute to her in all the mail I've sent this week.
This Earth Day Project was something I was hoping to share with Marilyn.
It is so like her -"we are of the earth" project.

The children made ATC's and one card from each child forms the border.
On June 26th I am hoping to put together the "Tribute Box" I have thought and planning for 2 years now. It will be part of my cigar box series.
On June 26th I will be with you in spirit and also in Baraga.

Much love,
Elaine Rounds, CANADA

2005-08-20T03:44:00.000-07:00

What a bad news for us
Ryosuke Cohen, JAPAN
braincell@k6.dion.ne.jp

Braincell sheets (fragments)

2005-08-20T03:35:00.000-07:00

My dear Guido!

I'm also very shocked, but I keep on sending her my best energy. Life is just a minute of our existence...
Flowers crying but trying to understand,

Tânia Gabrielli-Pohlmann, GERMANY/BRAZIL

PS
not only time helps. Love is the greatest help...
More flowers because nature was her best inspiration and wrote with her the beauty of the arts...

Let's try it, dear Guido!
Flowers celebrating with you,
Tânia

Photo of volcano flower was mailed to me by Rais Boneza, refugee of CONGO relocated in NORWAY and T:AP member (GV)

2005-08-20T03:32:00.000-07:00

Guido,

Very sad to get this news.

I posted a few of Marilyn's images, along with your note on my blog.
best,

Jim Leftwich, USA
jimleftwich@mac.com
http://jimleftwichtextimagepoem.blogspot.com

2005-08-20T03:29:00.000-07:00

Dear Guido

As promised I have put a page in my website as an homage to Marilyn, follow the link from the first page in www.nottwo.org.uk
to see it.

Please show it at your party so on June 26.
I will feel I have been there with you to remember her and send me a quick email so I know that you have seen this in time.

My regards to you all,
Martha Aitchinson, UK

2005-08-20T03:28:00.000-07:00

Dear Guido,

I published a tribute a Marilyn with the messages received and some
works of her that I found at the web; also, I published your postcard
that you sent me with the participation to "Mail Art Day 2005".
You can see the "Tribute to Marilyn" at NEWS in Vortice Argentina:
www.vorticeargentina.com.ar/noticias/
It´s my little hommage to her...

Best regards... FGD
VORTICE , c/o Fernando Garcia Delgado, ARGENTINA
mailart@vorticeargentina.com.ar

2005-08-20T03:23:00.000-07:00

Dear Guido,

I have dedicated my mail art Dream Project to the memory of Marilyn Dammann "Shadow"

In this project I want to gather the dreams in the textual or visual versions from all those who want to share them. If you want, you can send to me your dreams via snail mail or via e-mail.

Please visit the new blog that was opened to show the
"Dream Project 2005" at this url:
http://dreamma.blogspot.com/

Sghinopaullimo, ITALY
paullimo2000@yahoo.it

2005-08-20T03:16:00.000-07:00

Dear Guido,

This is very sad news.
But I always think - she is in the place where all us have to go. I think,
if every people goes there, it must'nt be a very bad place... We are made
of the same substance of the stars.
I send you this poem for Marylin. I wanted to express sadness and loneliness.

La nuit
les mots
dégouttent
avec bruit
sur les toits en tuiles
ils se laissent glisser
tout au long des égouttieres en plastique
jusqu'aux canivaux débordantes
jusqu'aux bouches d'égouts
inondées
ils passent à coté
d'oreilles fermées
sur la langue qui pleut.

Postal greetings
Maria Teresa Schiavino, ITALY
lachimera@virgilio.it

2005-08-20T03:12:00.000-07:00

Cher Guido,

Voici ce que j'ai créé le dimanche 26 juin à la mémoire de Marilyn.

Merci de rassembler les louanges et de les envoyer à sa famille.

En amitié,

Bruno Sourdin, FRANCE

2005-08-20T03:06:00.000-07:00

Le 26 + 1 jour,

Le temps que cela sèche.
Une pensée oui, une énorme empreinte de tristesse de Phèdre et de ... pudeur oblige.
Une vraie pensée.
J'ai pris l'image première, elle aurait pu être avec plus de distance mais ton message prend au coeur, aux souvenirs.
Elle est sincère ... ET VIVE MARILYN !!!

Amitiés à toi et hommage à ton amitié pour cette amie que (j'en suis sure) tu ne perdras jamais réellement.

Fabienne Ruaut Lichet, FRANCE

2005-08-20T03:03:00.000-07:00

Thru-Your-Eyes Mail art for Marilyn Dammann

Anne, USA

2005-08-20T02:58:00.000-07:00

Dear Guido,

Many thanks for your letter.

Grief for the death of Shadow-Ombre on May 22, 2005.

For the Memorial Day on June 26 I'm sending you my hommage to celebrate the occasion.

Thanks also for your invitation to the project Friour's Earth Charter.

All the best
Art and energy
Art and Harmony
Art and Peace,

Emilio Morandi, ITALY

2005-08-20T01:52:00.000-07:00

SHADOW 2005

by Dmitri Babenko, RUSSIA

2005-08-20T01:49:00.000-07:00

Shadow Mourning

Photo by
Sugar Irmer, GERMANY

2005-08-20T01:46:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends and Family of Marilyn,

In loving memory from Meg Founds

In tribute for Shadow and her Shadowork

June 26, 2005
Meg Taney Founds, USA

2005-08-20T01:42:00.000-07:00

Even the Nomad Neanderthalers of Drenthe mourn Shadow!

Woodcut on panel
Art colony of Veenhuizen
Ad Breedveld, THE NETHERLANDS.

2005-08-20T01:37:00.000-07:00

Hello Guido,

Hope you are well.

So sorry to hear of the loss of your friend.

Be well,

Laura Barletta, USA

http://larabarletta.blogspot.com/

2005-08-20T01:34:00.000-07:00

In memory of Marilyn Dammann

"MADONNA ARTLESS"

Computer art 2005 by

Paul Tiilila, FINLAND

2005-08-20T01:31:00.000-07:00

Guido,

Being connected ONLY with the earth is the major problem with art.

Thank you, I did not know about 22 May 2005.

Love,

Mike Dyar, USA

2005-08-20T01:24:00.000-07:00

Aujourd'hui j'ai voté,
c'est ça la démocratie,
pour la non-violence et pour la paix,
et mon vote a eu cent pour cent des voix de moi-même,
beau résultat!

Condoléances pour la perte de votre amie Marilyn

F.P. , FRANCE

2005-08-20T01:10:00.000-07:00

Cher ami,

Excuse pour ce retard et cet hommage à Marilyn DAMMANN.
J'avais commencé une correspondance avec elle en 1999 et son travail sur la terre m'intéressait beaucoup.
J'ai participé à ses projets et elle à mon projet "la République des artistes".
Lors de notre première rencontre le 2/3 juillet de la République à notre Ambassade de Venise, j'ai pris la parole pour rendre hommage à MD.

Merci, cher ami, de faire cette démarche.

Regrets et Fraternité

Rémy Pénard, FRANCE

NOTE
Rémy speaks here on the exchanges he had with Marilyn and her own participation to his project REPUBLIC OF ARTISTS. During a meeting of the Republic at the embassy in Venice Rémy made a public tribute speech on MD.
The Embassy is the house of course of Tiziana Baracchi and Giancarlo de Lio, 2 Italian mail artists who live in Venice. (GV)

2005-08-20T01:02:00.000-07:00

Cher Guido,

Voici une enveloppe postale pour dire NON et NON à la politique du Medef, c'est-à-dire le patronat français, avec des timbres d'artistes pour que la lutte continue et aussi pour rendre hommage à Marilyn DAMMANN.

A bientôt
Avec toute mon amitié

Eric Bensidon, FRANCE

Tribute to M.D. Artistamps made by Eric

2005-08-20T00:59:00.000-07:00

Ant's 26 June Tribute to Marilyn Dammann
Destination: Guido Vermeulen

Ant Porka, ITALY

2005-08-20T00:53:00.000-07:00

Transition of Light sparkles (in Marilyn's company)

The insect of the eyelid turns around
to the light of the open ear,
mocking with some mild amusement the impossibility
of a closed door, of silent stones & foodless kitchens.

Water pours from the rooftops into her hands,
a gift of heaven she can't refuse even if she wanted to.
She smiles and smiles again like children use to do
& offers me with kindness whatever I'll find on my road:
pebbles, feathers, birch, wires, transistors in the wild,
transitions of the view, she finally whispers.

Between 2 feathers I caught her image
Between 2 feathers my soul melted
Between the turtles carrying her earth
I saw her sun set so red as blood,
so pure as gold, so light her shadow
faded into mine.

Till we meet again, she said.
Till we meet again.
Let's turn what's invisible into meaning
because after all what's so obvious is not real,
it's only a travesty of truth, clothed with a useless power coat.

I nodded & poured a bucket of stolen water into the Superior Lake.
Because it was not big enough to hold our common dreams
I added my tears with love & light & magic.

Guido Vermeulen, BELGIUM
June 2005

2005-08-20T00:50:00.000-07:00

A hymn to Marilyn Dammann

SPIRIT OF BEAUTY
BEAUTY OF SPIRIT

with Love, Light & Magic

Bon voyage, Marilyn
from Carol Stetser, USA

2005-08-20T00:46:00.000-07:00

Dear Guido,

I am very sorry to hear about the death of your friend. Please accept my sympathy for your loss and my deepest wishes for HEALING.

Marilyn sounds like a very fine human being.
You are making a lovely tribute to her.
Remember: ART & LOVE LIVE ON!

Julie Hagan Bloch, USA

2005-08-20T00:40:00.000-07:00

June 26, China ink on paper

For the memorial day to honor Marilyn Dammann, aka Shadow.

From Gianluca Murasecchi, ITALY

with best regards to Guido

2005-08-20T00:35:00.000-07:00

Shadow Trees Tribute

Solamito Luigino, ITALY

2005-08-20T00:32:00.000-07:00

Dedicated to Shadow

Schoko Casana-Rosso, GERMANY

2005-08-20T00:22:00.000-07:00

Dear Guido,

Rita Mc Namara told me the sad news of Marilyn's death. I know also you intend to produce a memorial book.

This is my contribution.

Eric Langolff, FRANCE

En hommage à Marilyn Dammann "SHADOWORK" qui trouvait sa magnifique inspiration au contact de la nature.

2005-08-20T00:10:00.000-07:00

A rose for Marilyn from her Italian Amazon

I Meta-Networker in Spirit
Ruggero Maggi, ITALY

NOTE
We shared a common affection for the Aboriginal people. In 1997 I returned to Baraga and stayed at Marilyn's house for nearly a month. I gave her as present the magnificent book on the TEACHING STONES of the outcast tribes. When she visited me in Brussels the next year one of her presents was a compilation cassette with some Aboriginal music.
Ruggero refers here also to his own Amazon mail art project. (GV)

2005-08-19T15:16:00.000-07:00

In memory of Marilyn Dammann

A NEVER VANISHING SHADOW

Words tend to be inadequate

Eberhard Janke, Janus Edition, GERMANY

2005-08-19T15:01:00.000-07:00

26 Juni 2005
Beste Guido,

Hierbij een simpele foto-collage ter herinnering aan Marilyn Dammann.

Ik kreeg ooit een brief van haar als reactie op een STARDUST MEMORIES zine.

Het is spijtig dat ze er niet meer is.
Ook voor jou, het is moeilijk om een goede vriend kwijt te raken.

Hierbij ook een nieuwe Stardust en een soort gedicht dat ik begin dit jaar maakte, ook een beetje over weggaan, loslaten, een nieuw begin zoeken, doorgaan, hoe iemand voort kan leven in een ander, hoe iemand door kan leven in jouw leven ... zoiets

Sterkte en tot later,

Marc De Hay, THE NETHERLANDS

2005-08-19T14:48:00.000-07:00

Dear Guido,

I would like to join in Marilyn's celebration.
Do you organize something in Brussels?

Guy De Boeck, poet, BELGIUM
Yigdrya@coditel.net

(this message triggered me to do a collective happening together in my garden in Brussels on Sunday, June 26 at 3 PM; then Guy replied like this:

Guido,
You know that for certain things Africa influenced me BIG TIME.
Mourning there is a sad occasion but also a real feast because the live of a group of which the deceased was a member, continous in all its glory.
I am convinced that Marilyn with her celebration of life thought likewise.
A celebration of life for a dead artist is a great paradox:
We mortal artists create for rthe occasion immortal beauty.
In 1999 a friend of mine in "performaning arts" died in a car crash.
I wrote this for the occasion:

Consolation to a mother

Stand up, downhearted mother, stand up and cry !
Oh! Cry for Raphaelle- she has expired !
Why however? Gorge inside your fiery bedrock
Your glowing tears, and let your blaring soul hold
Like hers a silent and uncranky rest;
Down she disappeared like every being,
sensitive and pure.
Fate feeds on her quiet say, and grins at our sorrow.
No! Do not fancy that the ardent Chasm
Will though give her back to the lively sky;
But annoyance that people misname enjoyment,
And grudge and defamation and hatred and distress,
Can't strike and torment her anymore;
Outward the infection of the earthy sluggish stain
She has outrised the nightfall of our darkness;
She is safe and will never have to mourn
A spirit gone grey, a brain gone old vainly;
Nor, after her soul's very last sparkle died out,
With lightless remains fill an unweeped grave.

And I think that is what we still can do for Marylin: once more make obvious
that, when you ar an artist, you never fill with your lightless reains an
unweeped grave !

Guy De Boeck, BELGIUM

2005-08-19T14:44:00.000-07:00

Dear Guido,

Horrible, terrible news about Marilyn Dammann.
Marilyn's last mail to me was a nomination (of G. Bush) to the medal of dishonour project.
I will publish that on her honour on June 26th.
I will contribute to your initiative on the 26th.
What sad news..
Luv to you,

Susan Gold, CANADA

PS
I remember my first mail from Marilyn (Notes to Kanata project).
I was thrilled there was someone in Michigan, my home state.

2005-08-19T14:41:00.000-07:00

Dear Guido,

Thank you for letting me know about Marilyn. I had last heard from her about 2 months ago.
I never anticipate mail from her during the summer because she always did a lot of family stuff then & also workshops. So it was not unusual not to hear from her when the snow thawed.

It isn't quite sinking in - this idea that Marilyn is gone.
I think it will take some time.

We shared such a common viewpoint of the world & often found ourselves attracted to similar themes & ideas- a kindred soul, in other words - and there are few of those.

Rita Mc Namara, USA

2005-08-19T14:38:00.000-07:00

Dear Guido,

I'm sorry for Shadow's death. I didn't know her personally but I knew her name & work.

It is very sad when a friend dies.
It is a nice thing that a gallery will be open in her name.
Keep in touch, keep going on on, all the best.

Carla Bertola, ITALY

2005-08-19T14:28:00.000-07:00

June 26 celebration by Tatjana Neuber and Dorothea Teipel-Dogan

Midsummer Haikus

On June 26
Global Memorial Day:
Marilyn Dammann

Shadow has left us -
We celebrate in friendship
her life and earth art

Marilyn gave us
joy, solace, peace of mail art,
LOVE LIGHT & MAGIC

Tatjana Neuber, Germany

Art mailed by SAVAL, Czech Republic

and this letter from Eva, the mother of the deceased mail artist Ivan Preissler.
Marilyn continued communicating with Eva after Ivan died. I knew this.
Informing Eva was perhaps one of the most difficult tasks I had to do after May 22.
(GV)

Dear Mr Vermeulen,

Thank you for your lovely letter and neverthekess informing about the sad news that MD died.

Shadow and Ivan were friends during many years and they understood each other in their art expressions. She was an extraordinary personality. We were in contact after Ivan's death.
I received her last letter in December 2004. She will remain in my memory forever.

Thank you for her photograph. I must say that it is the same image that remained in my memory. Many thanks also for your sincere and kind words.

Eva Preisslerova, CZECH REPUBLIC

2005-08-19T14:26:00.000-07:00

Bonjour Guido,

Merci pour ton dernier courrier qui m'annonçait une triste nouvelle.
Marilyn n'était pas une de mes correspondantes mais je la connaissais bien évidemment via divers projets.

Je participerai donc volontier le 26 juin à la journée en sa mémoire.

Amicalement,
Isabelle Vannobel, FRANCE

2005-08-19T14:23:00.000-07:00

Beste Guido,

Ik heb Marilyn niet gekend maar bij elk overlijden zijn er mensen die rouwen en gesteund willen worden.

Ik kan niet komen op 26 juni om "iets" te doen, daarom heb ik het vandaag vast gedaan.

Ik wens je veel sterkte.
L, L & M

Monica Van Fleteren, BELGIUM

2005-08-19T14:19:00.000-07:00

Cher Guido,

Je t'envoie mon collage pour Marilyn, et pour le 26 je t'enverrai des photos d'un lieu que je vais visiter ce jour là, qu'elle aurait beaucoup aimé.

Le premier travail que j'ai reçu de Marilyn était un ensemble de « queues » faites avec des poiles de chat pour l'expo « it's raining cats and dogs ».

Moi aussi j'ai perdu l'artiste Mario Ripamonti, que j'aimais beaucoup pour son intensité silencieuse, une amitié invisible qui vient de se fermer.

J'ai réfléchi au sujet de certaines amitiés entre artistes, un lien très fort parfois, même sans se fréquenter ou se parler.
C'est pour cette raison qu'on reste étonné quand le beau et faible fil se coupe d'une amitié apparemment pas très développée.

Je te souhaite des moments pour rêver et d'autres pour lutter.

Linda Pelati, ITALY
clochart@yahoo.com

2005-08-19T14:13:00.000-07:00

Allo Postal + amitiés,

J'ai reçu jeudi un message de Kurt Beaulieu et votre lettre.
J'ai échangé de la poésie-nature avec Marilyn jusqu'en janvier 2005.
Je pensais qu'elle était en voyage …

"quand il est mort le poète, tous ses amis pleuraient..on enterra son étoile dans un grand champs de blé" (Gilbert Bécaud)
"Et c'est pour ça que l'on trouve dans ce grand champs des bleuets…"

A la douce mémoire de Marilyn Dammann aka Shadow, poète du Mail art, qui a quitté notre monde le 22 mai 2005, tous les artistes du monde entier sont invités à lui rendre hommage en pensée et par la création artistique le 26 juin.

Diane Bertrand, CANADA

NOTE
First part of the image is an original mail art envelope Marilyn mailed to Diane. She forwarded this piece to me on June 26. (GV)

2005-08-19T14:04:00.000-07:00

MARILYN'S WINDOW ONTO A WORLD OF SNOWY TREES

On a staircase in Yang Mei
beneath a window
onto a world of humid trees
taped to the wall
is Marilyn's window collage.
It looks out here
onto the snowy
Michigan landscape of one's youth all
filled with trees.

The window collage
will disappear
like the world of humid trees
seen through the window in Yang Mei.
Even the window will disappear.
But Marilyn's window
will never disappear,
her window onto a wall
of snowy trees.

Madison Morrison, TAIWAN
madison_morrison@attglobal.net

NOTE
The Love assemblage is one of the works of MD (GV)

2005-08-19T13:53:00.000-07:00

Salut Guido,

Tu m'a appris la triste nouvelle du décès de Marilyn Dammann. J'ai été très surpris ne sachant pas qu'elle était malade.

Elle a eu la gentillesse de participer encore en début d'année à mon futur receuil "Mirages".
Je t'envoie "l'original" d'un travail à 3: M.Dammann, A.Valet et Ph. Victor.

J'ai agrandi ce petit format qui fera parti donc de Mirages.

Elle continuera à vivre de toute façon à travers ses oeuvres.
Bien cordialement,

Philippe Victor, FRANCE

NOTE
This artwork is a collaborative piece between Marilyn Dammann (USA), Philippe Victor (France) and Alain Valet (Belgium). It will be published in an artist book edition called "Mirages" or Fata Morganas. (GV)

2005-08-19T13:46:00.000-07:00

Dear Guido,

Thank you for all the info you sent me, but the sad news about Marilyn hit me.
She was a lovely person.
Like you, I stayed with her in the UP.
She arranged for me to have a one-person exhibition.
Also I did a reading.

So, on June 26th, I'll do a piece/ work to honor her life.
And after the 26th I'll forward the work on to you.
Keep well and as Marilyn would write...
Love/Light/Magic

Patrick Anderson-Mc Quoid, IRELAND

FOR SHADOW June 26th 2005

Here now,
as my summer awaits.
I think of your passing
as footprints in the snow.

Your presence pressed
to leave an imprint
as poetry of the soul.

2005-08-19T13:42:00.000-07:00

Dear Guido,

Devastating news about Marilyn!

Been writing to her for a couple or more decades / how time flies / waiting for that letter that never came / had sent Shadow three sea shells to put with one of her assemblages.

She was one of the few artists that was a constant inspiration to me on this tiny island
With her art actions, poems/artwork & positive vibe, her work in the mail art shows.

Some time in May one sun set over the sea was so amazing, the sky had turned crimson / deep red like I'd never seen it before. A sign.

Ok, will write you again

Cosmic Love and Saxophones of reality,
Barry Edgar Pilcher, IRELAND

2005-08-19T13:35:00.000-07:00

Dear Guido,

You know when your news turned up on my half floor I just picked it up with the rubbish mail & popped it on the surface beside my sink, thinking at first glance, oh great, a letter from Marilyn!

I was just in from the shop with food for lunch, intended to read it after.
I am very sad, which is mostly selfish in a way. Marilyn is one of my best friends and I am going to miss her being part of my life - an integral part this last ten years.

So I'm sad that we lost her & very happy and proud to have known her, been inspired by her, argues and agreed with her. Patience and Love.
Marilyn is gone, her spirit is strong.

I knew - sort of - had been hearing/ sensing her name for a few weeks now & yourself a couple of days ago but of course I didn't know, until I had the news, so it's sad/ happy, mostly sad, I'm going to feel lonely without her beautiful words and works, that's selfish I know but I always needed her friendship and constancy to feel a part of something we both understood - rural existence to put it simply.

I beg your pardon, Guido, just a little grief there...

So life goes on, death being yet another birth. We're accelerating into Midsummer here again, the nights are retreating fast. You know one time at Balnakeil I was able to see the sun go down three times with a friend. From the beach, then we ran up the headland to see it set again,
then further still to see a third setting. Gives me an idea for the memory day you have planned.

Thank you so much for contacting me about this sad news and you know if you ever have the inclination to see the Highlands again, don't hesitate to visit, I can accommodate here, no problem at all.

Lots of Love, Light & Magic

Nick Powell, SCOTLAND

2005-08-19T13:27:00.000-07:00

Dear Guido,

I was very sorry to hear of the death of Marilyn Dammann.
I have a nice collection of her work. I shall take it all out on the 26 and show it to whoever visits.
In the evening I shall take a walk in the woods by the Tine and think of her…

Yours,
John Upton, SCOTLAND UK
Johnupton100@hotmail.com

NOTE
I visited Marilyn for the first time in the UP of Michigan in 1995.
Let's meet each other again next year in Scotland, she said. I said yes and to my surprise the next year she phoned me: "I'm in Glasgow, come and pick me up and let's travel together".
I took a quick leave from my job and joined her over there.
It was in the Glasgow area we had a mail art meeting with John Upton, Iona and Melissa Seims.
Later we would meet Nick Powell in the north of Scotland. (GV)

2005-08-19T13:21:00.000-07:00

Dear Guido,

Thanks for letter and email messages. I was so busy last weeks.

This is very bad and upsetting news...that Marilyn Dammann died.

She (really!) was one of my best networking friends.

Her fantastic letters & very critical style to American domination all over the world & expansion of brutal imperialism are something very, VERY interesting, extraordinary documents of tone and sense.

All the best,
Dobrica and Rorica Kamperelic, SERBIA YUGOSLAVIA
kamper@bitsyu.net

2005-08-19T13:16:00.000-07:00

Dear Guido,

I'm Bert Monterona and emotionally I was affected reading your past e-mails regarding the death of a best friend since I have also a best friend who died of cancer and I made a lot of auctions and exhibitions just to extend her life through series of a very expensive " khimo" sessions.

Bert Monterona, The Phillipines
artpeace2001@yahoo.com
member of the T:AP network

2005-08-19T13:14:00.000-07:00

Guido,

I'm Fabio Sassi, artist in Bologna, Italy.

I've joined two of Marilyn's projects and I've appreciated her art a lot.

I've been struck by her loss.

Sincerely,
Fabio Sassi, ITALY
Jazzyfab@yahoo.it

2005-08-19T13:11:00.000-07:00

Merci Guido de l'avoir écrit!

J'ai de Marilyn des mots, des dessins, des couleurs émouvants et beaux.

Je ne me culpabiliserai plus - pour elle - de mon retard à répondre à "Palestine" - un envoi magnifique et touchant - seulement de ne l'avoir pas fait.

Marilyn = une grande dame.

Marie Hamard, FRANCE

2005-08-19T13:06:00.000-07:00

Guido,

Thank you for informing all of us regarding the loss of Shadow..Marilyn Dammann. I will surely send you a commemorative mail art
piece for you to dispatch to her family, etc.

It brought back a flood of memories, for you see, I lost my best friend/mother "E.T." (mail artist, rubber stamper, eraser carver, seamstress, oil painter, hospital cook, gardener, recycler. Emma retired in her 70's and walked 4 miles a day, sometimes 8, sometimes 12 miles! She knew all the edible plants around. She died July 30, 2004 nearly a year ago. I dreamed she phoned me a couple months later (ET phoned home!) and she sounded so strong and healthy! She was 85 years young.
ET will be leading a nature walk on the 26th, with Marilyn and all the beloved Mail Artists who've crossed our postal-paths over the years.
And I, too, will do my best to make that day special in Schaumburg, Illinois.

Our lady of Latex (aka Carol Thomas), USA
carolol@hotmail.com

2005-08-19T13:00:00.000-07:00

Quelle terrible nouvelle ! mais merci de nous l'avoir communiquée.

C'est vraiment formidable d'organiser ce jour pour elle.
Peux-tu me redonner ton adresse postale car je vais envoyer le dernier courrier que je lui destinait.

Avec mon amitié.

Anne Bossenbroek, THE NETHERLANDS
abossen@dds.nl

2005-08-19T12:57:00.000-07:00

I am sorry...
May she rest in peace…
Fraternally,

Clemente Padin, URUGUAY
7w1k4nc9@adinet.com.uy

and
Yes, of course...I will participate in this last hommage to our dear friend,

2005-08-19T12:50:00.000-07:00

BOTH SIDES

for Marilyn Dammann

the sky is joined
up so we can both
look at the same sky
from different parts of the planet
joined up people in a paper cut
out world with print on both sides

Guido, take care,
Irene Ronchetti, ARGENTINA
ireneluisa@yahoo.com.ar

ORACION
(dedicated to Marilyn Dammann)

SOMBRA
DE
MI
VIDA
NO ME
DESAMPARES
NI
DE
NOCHE
NI
DE
DIA.

Manuel Escobar Lehmann, BELGIUM/ CHILE
manuelescobarlehmann@hotmail.com

2005-08-19T12:43:00.000-07:00

Beste Guido,

Een heel droevig bericht, je had het al aangekondigd maar toch, ik kende Marilyn minder goed dan jij, ik geloof dat we een keer werk uitwisselden.

Veel sterkte deze periode

Sietse Hoeksma aka RAEL MAIL,
THE NETHERLANDS.
hoeksma@zeelandnet.nl

2005-08-19T12:32:00.000-07:00

Dear guido,

Here are my contribution for the ISMD - a evening-sun- selfportrait at 26 June 05.
Don´t forget the contribution for the farewell-book. Included c.vita of himself and the died artist(s).

Greetings
Birger Jesch, GERMANY
rohrpostbeamter@t-online.de

Birger is referring here to a project on invitation he developed together with Lutz Wohlrab.
This project called "FAREWELL / COMMUNICATION BREAKDOWNS" will honor all the mail artists that passed away.
Birger and Lutz got this idea when confronted with their own grieving because of the death of Friedrich Winnes. He died May 1, 2005 of a stroke. Friedrich was introduced to mail art 30 years ago by Robert Rehfeldt, one the leading pioneers in former Eastern Germany. (GV)

2005-08-18T16:49:00.000-07:00

Third poem I wrote on the passing of Marilyn Dammann.
It's in Dutch while the 2 first ones are in English.
This is based on an "awakening dream": Marilyn mailing me messages on a tiny screen in the morning. I was awake, recognized her handwriting, could read some of it but not everything: words in reverse, upside down, visual poetry writing. I felt blessed.
Thank you dear Marilyn for having touched my life and for still touching me "beyond death".
I called this poem "SHADOW DREAM"

Schaduwdroom

Woorden stotteren straffeloos in gras
Terwijl een blauwe bal een dijkbreuk inluidt
van verdriet in mijn aangezicht
stroomt kleurloos haar schaduw naar de witheid van het meer

De bliksem lispelt lepels graan
waar het zien stokt in het gehemelte van de hemel
De wolken zijn gelukkig
want hebben niets vermoed,
geen streepjescode, geen eigendomsrecht, geen traan
Zij staan terecht als vagebonden,
niet wetend waar op te houden,
verperZOONlijking van de liefde voor MOEDER

AARDE kraakt waar winter wijkt
Nergens giechelt ergens
Ergens weet geen weet van ergens
De grijper gaat ten onder als de zon verdwijnt

Honger eet de met graagte de traagte van haar landschap in het vuur
Dansende vlammen verwachten geen beelden in dekens
De naakte waarheid is op zoek naar de weelde van kleren

Ik zal haar vinden aan de achterkant van de spiegel,
daar waar niemand kijkt
uit vrees voor regen
die niets of niemand vreest.

Loose your fear & gain the world,
het heruitgevonden wiel
verminkt de herinnering

Haar schreeuw geeuwt in de doodlopende straat:
wat we vergeten keert weer in het zeer van de droom.

Daar schreef ze mij onleesbaar
Het kon mij niet veel schelen
Geluk overviel mij als een erkende vluchteling
want ik herkende haar geschrift

(dat sterren sterven beseffen enkel andere sterren
en allen zeggen "it doesn't matter" vanuit ons kikvorsperspectief
en "niet getreurd, ons tekort lest de dorst der engelen")

Guido Vermeulen, BELGIUM
Juli 2005

2005-08-18T16:39:00.000-07:00

Dear Guido,

In memory of Marilyn I'll make a walk at the seaside while reading Walt Whitman on June 26, 2005: the international memory day for Marilyn Dammann.
I will never forget her!

The artwork I'm sending you contains handmade grasspaper from Terwispel where you were my guests.

Marlies Mulders, THE NETHERLANDS

"I bequeath myself to the dirt to grow
from the grass I love,
I you want me again
look for me
under your bootsoles. "

WALT WHITMAN , from Song of myself

(here again I broke down when receiving this mail ... GV)

2005-08-18T16:23:00.000-07:00

In 1998 Marilyn Dammann made a trip to visit the Low Lands: Belgium and the Netherlands.
We traveled together to Friesland in Holland to meet Marlies Mulders.
Marlies introduced us to Henk Van Setten, a Haiku poet and etcher, a very soft man with a beautiful soul.
Of course I wrote him about Marilyn's passing. To my shock his wife Anneke wrote me back to tell me Henk had died himself on June 15, 2005. Again a few weeks after Marilyn, he joined her. It seems to me that death appears almost as a cyclic network event because in a very short time frame I have mourned the passing of Monica Ferretti in Italy, Marilyn and Carlo in the USA, Henk in Holland and Friedrich Winnes in Germany (GV)

EEN WITTE ZWAAN VLIEGT
LAAG BOVEN DONKER WATER-
VERBREEKT DE STILTE

Haiku and Linocut on Henk's passing anouncement.
Photo: Guido Vermeulen, Marilyn Dammann, Henk Van Setten and Marlies Mulders
at Marlies' place in Terwispel in 1998.

2005-08-18T16:11:00.000-07:00

Hi Guido,

sorry to hear the news about Marilyn she will be missed,

I exchanged mail art with Marilyn a few times over the years. Take Care.

Tony Kennedy, ENGLAND UK
ken@merseymail.com

Tony's drawing on June 26

¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨
So sorry to hear of Marilyn Dammann's passing. Thank you for sharing this
unhappy news. Best love,

Carlo Pittore, USA
pittore@gwi.net

Carlo emailed this message when he was dying himself. Only a few weeks difference and he joined Marilyn. A memory Day will be organized September 10. Let's all join in art and heart. (GV)
Here is a link to a tribute page on CP by Mark Bloch (USA) :
http://panmodern.com/carlo_home.html

2005-08-18T16:06:00.000-07:00

Bonjour Guido,

Je pense à toi et tes amis. Que l'énergie de ton amie continue à
rayonner à travers tes projets.

Vendredi je vais rester gentiment avec mes enfants à la maison. Pas de
canapé pour cette semaine.

Amicalement
Anne Marie Finné, BELGIUM
AnneMarie@finne.be

Anne Marie mailed me this to be part of the June 26 celebration (GV)

2005-08-18T16:00:00.000-07:00

Ay this is very sad indeed -

I had just heard from her a few days ago - the message that she was retiring. I sent her a farewell note, not knowing it was a REAL farewell -

John
Dr. John M. Bennett, USA
bennett.23@osu.edu

2005-08-18T15:53:00.000-07:00

MEMORIAL POEM

For Marilyn Dammann
By David Stone, USA

A shrine in Michigan
a sky sun color
a TV smashed
& lit by a shepherd
of earth works.

Some souls slept
through motion
in awe.

Animals born,
trees wave
in a hurricane.

In the field
a salamander
crawls above
the blessed rest.

2005-08-18T15:36:00.000-07:00

Dear Guido,

what bad news! I am very very sad in my heart, because when dies a friend of the network it is a pain for all of us us.

I consider Marilyn a very fine artist and I love her work so much.
Just Sunday, when she was dying ( I did'nt know this, naturally) I showed one of
her extraordinary art-books, sensibile and precious, to some my friends.
I was in "feeling" with her and I am deeply shocked too.

Thanks to have informed me and surely I shall remember her always, like Joky, Deisler, Crozier

The network has lost so many fine and special members!
Dear Guido, take care of you. All the best

Anna Boschi, ITALY
cermasi@libero.it

PS
I inform you that at the site
http://www.mailart-carrercollection.net/
there is a sensible memory of Marilyn.
It is the Danilo Carrer'site of art and mail art, where Marilyn sent many
fine drawings.
I hope you are glad of this. We all remember her and her wonderful works.
The network LOSES A BIG PART OF HIS HEART!
And we personaly lose a great friend in life and in art.

Note: Anna adopted this tree which is dedicated to Marilyn's soul. I cried (of joy) GV

2005-08-18T15:29:00.000-07:00

This is indeed sad news.

I remember her visiting me at home together with Guido Vermeulen.
I am keen on technology, I do not care eating fast food, watch bad
television, and doing other "not done" stuff.
But I loved her few mailings from the great forests which gave some tranquility.
I haven't written with her very much, wasn't very close with her as Guido is.
But I loved her mail and it made me happy. It is sad.
Thanks Marilyn, hope there is a possibility for you for snow shoeing where you are now.
With love
yours

Geert De Decker, BELGIUM
art@sztuka-fabryka.be

Photo: Geert and Marilyn before the nuclear power plant of Doel, near Antwerp in Belgium
Picture I took during her visit in 1998 (GV)

2005-08-18T15:21:00.000-07:00

Dear Guido,

I am with you in this time of sorrows and feeling your inner deep painful condition.
May Allah Bless her soul and give you support at this irreparable loss of a blessed friend like her,
I will go for some special prayers for her soul to be blessed more in the heavens
I thank you for making all details about her in an email which is really a difficult task to write at this time.
I am concern.
May Allah bless us all
Peace

MARILYN DAMMANN

God Made You a Special Person
To share his blessings through
The feelings of warmth and Love
And deep blessings with all Truth.
Marilyn Dammann was one of these,
She always remains with us
With all the Art she did
With all commitment she had
For Art and Peace intact.
We are all together here
On this special Memory Day
Sharing, her beautiful thoughts
And her Message of Peace for All

Written on May 30 for the international memory day for Marilyn Dammann
on June 26 2005

Mohammad Iqbal Behleem, PAKISTAN