Briefkaart aan Willem Bogtman before 1926

This is a postcard to Willem Bogtman, probably sent in the early 20th century, evidenced by the stamps. The material is simple: printed cardstock, mass-produced, and the postal stamps, also printed in great quantity. The value here lies in the exchange. It represents a connection between people, and the physical transportation of a message. The handwriting speaks to the personal touch, in contrast to the industrial nature of the card itself. The labor involved is multifaceted. There's the factory work to make the card, the design and printing of the stamps, and the postal system required to deliver it. It is a common thing, but it speaks to the complex networks that bind society together. We should consider not only the artwork itself, but the labor and infrastructure that enables its existence and movement through the world. This challenges our notions of value and invites us to think about the artistic merit of the everyday.