Allison Hrabluik: PENELOPE!
A project for Artspeak OFFSITE using Canada Post on March 17, 2009
“28 thoughts while writing your name:
“I have a maddeningly terrible crush on you. Hello. I think you are remarkable. This is urgent. Soon we will meet. I’m not stalking you. I don’t even know you but I feel so close to you. I’ve heard a lot about you. Yes, we all know you did that. I think you should apologize. You are a very good friend. You have always been a very good friend. I’d like to get to know you better. Only admiration. Are you lonely? I saw you at the grocery store the other day. You are very smart, and even funny. I’ve never really liked you. I am not yelling at you. Sorry. You are so attractive. I bet you have a firm handshake. This is how I reach out. I hope you don’t know it’s me right away. I know we will never meet. I love your name. I have something very important to tell you.
“On March 17, 2009, 435 envelopes were deposited into a Canada Post mailbox in Vancouver. Each envelope contained a large piece of paper on which the addressee’s name was written in capital letters.”
I received one of these envelopes. Inside was a large folded piece of paper reading “ERIC”, written in marker using large capital letters. I didn’t know who it was from. I enjoyed receiving it; as a friend told me a long time ago before giving me a large red vacuformed letter E, “You’re from the midwest, you probably like things with your initials on them.”
