Mefi art mail swap

August 15, 2005 11:35 AM

Mefi Art Mail Swap: Updates on Images, Membership, latest Theme, and Protocol inside.
posted by safetyfork to MetaFilter-related at 11:35 AM (14 comments total)

There are a few more images uploaded to flicker: here and here, as well as andrew cooke's latest on his own site (+ his final blue).

As you can see there aren't that many uploaded to flickr for the last round. We've experienced more nixing, shirking, flaking out and legitimate life-changes/crises this round. Given that each partner of the set is making a unique piece of art for the other, and is usually not paired with anyone else, it can be harsh to not get anything in return.

Currently, we're carrying over the same list of participants month after month.

What do people think of making it a requirement that to be carried over to the next round a picture or scan of your art needs to make it on to flickr and tagged before the 10th of each month? It's the only possible solution I can see to weeding out those who are no longer participating, and haven't informed us of it.

I'd love to hear other ideas about ways to ensure that people aren't overloaded with too many obligations to make their art, and yet, also keep their end of the bargain up with their swap-buddy.

I figure it's a little late in the game for this to be implemented this round, so the rule (unless we find a better one) will go into effect for the art mailed out on Sept. 1.

If you need to opt out for any reason, please e-mail mefimailswap at gmail either before the swap-lists go out (some time tomorrow), or after you get the e-mail (because you aren't reading this in time) so adjustments can be made. You can always opt back in later if need be.

The theme for the mail art that will have a mail off date of Sept 1. is:
"The Five Elements: Earth, Air, Fire, Water, Ether."

Hey There, Newly Interested Person: If you want to get in on the mail swap action, e-mail your (user)name and physical mail address to the mefimailswap at gmail e-mail address before the end of the day today (Eastern) and I'll include you in the swap-set. The basics are this: you get partnered up, you make a piece of postcard sized art and take a picture of it or scan it and upload that image to flickr with the tag "mefimailswap" and then you mail the postcard sized art to your pal. Right now, we do themes. Rinse, repeat each month.
posted by safetyfork at 11:35 AM on August 15, 2005

How long does the Flickr probation last? Seems like some photos have been posted but are stuck in a hold queue.
posted by Bear at 12:41 PM on August 15, 2005

I don't know. For me, I've been on probation long enough that I suspect I've been deemed some kind of a threat to the public (or just a real flickr misuser) until I resolve it with the admins. I had a couple of wobbly images up there initially, methinks it was a direct hit to the foot for my account. I'm reformed now.
posted by safetyfork at 1:04 PM on August 15, 2005

Hey Bear, I just put up a scan of your delightful painting. So we're 2 for 2 on our swap!

My only suggestion for next time is maybe sending out the reminder before it's the last weekend? I know you can't babysit us all the time, but something like "five days left" might nudge people in a better way than "yours should already be in the mail."

As far as Flickr, they say this about probationary periods

When you sign up for Flickr, your new account is marked as 'pending', until Flickr administrators have reviewed it to make sure you aren't posting offensive images, or junk downloaded from the web. You have to have uploaded a few public photos before your account enters the queue, so if your photos aren't showing up, upload some more!

So if you're worried about it, upload a few snaps now so you won't have trouble on 9/1. Might have to ping the admins to make sure they check it, if it's been a while. They're incredibly nice there.
posted by jessamyn at 4:01 PM on August 15, 2005

i'll go ahead and set up my own flickr account and get stuff posted soon so i wont' be "pending".

i just loved your original picture so much, i had to use it for my inspiration, jessamyn!
posted by Bear at 7:21 PM on August 15, 2005

It seems like there are fewer exchanges this time around... has everyone's picture gone up, and we're just waiting for Flickr to accept them, or did so many people really bow out?
posted by interrobang at 7:57 PM on August 15, 2005

Shame this is getting shoved down the page so fast.
posted by interrobang at 10:15 PM on August 15, 2005

Unfortunately I failed to upload to flickr before accidentally deleting the image. Sorry. I did otherwise participate though.
posted by skarmj at 1:17 AM on August 16, 2005

Jessamyn, I followed what I took to be the pattern from the previous admin (wink), but I can easily do a five days before e-mail (barring unusual circumstances, of course).

Interrobang, we had more swapsets go out this last time than the time before , but with less of a flickr return. I see scene as the result of two possible breakdown points: 1. user makes art and sends to partner (but art is not uploaded). or 2. user doesn't make art at all. I haven't a way of distinguishing what happens in each case outside of people reporting back. (I guess there's always 'lost in the mail' but I don't count it.)

I'd like to see some kind of mechanism for improving the flickr yield and getting a better sense of the success of the swap. I don't know if my idea above is too iStalinist (ahem), so I'm hoping for suggestions.
posted by safetyfork at 6:37 AM on August 16, 2005

I think the mail swap has been really fun and I've received two really neat pieces of art! I really appreciate everyone's efforts in making it happen!
posted by Bear at 8:26 AM on August 16, 2005

Hey Bear, did you manage to take a pic of mine and post it...? Next time, I can use the scanner at work.
posted by Specklet at 9:57 AM on August 16, 2005

Ack! Thanks Specklett -- I just opened up my flckr account and will post it. It's so nice -- everyone should get to see it. I'll do that tonight.
posted by Bear at 10:34 AM on August 16, 2005

...aaaand we're off the page. Thanks, whiners!
posted by interrobang at 10:05 PM on August 16, 2005

Swapsets went out today. If you're expecting an e-mail and didn't seem to get one, write mefimailswap at gmail to get sorted out.
posted by safetyfork at 8:47 AM on August 17, 2005