"inexplicably fancy trash"

The curious case of Philipe Pissier.
Tuesday February 3, 2009

—in May or June 2008 I sent four postcards intended for an exposure of Mail Art entitled “Erotic Moments” curated by Mr. Mark Falkant. The artworks are collages made from postcards of the pastoral village of Castelnau-Montratier (in Southern France), and old photographs of a girlfriend, taken around 1991 – 92, with two to three clothespins on her nipples.

I sent them, without adding them in an envelope, as is the norm, for purists of “postal art.” After having participated and showing my erotic Mail Art for the past 25 years, I didn’t think that they could pose problem—

—an notice insisting I present myself to the Gendarmerie of Castelnau-Montratier because of a “file related to me.” I go there, and they end up interviewing me, within the framework of a preliminary investigation, on the behalf of people who do not have the decency, to introduce themselves (I later learned I was summoned by the “Brigade of Search of the Gendarmerie of Cahors.”) First, they asked me questions about my professional life, they showed my postcards (under court seal) and tell me that someone filed a complaint against me using the article 227 – 24 of the New Penal code, which stipulates that: “the simple act of making, traveling with or transporting, and promoting by any ways a message with a violent or pornographic content or with the intention of hurting human dignity can be punishable with 3 years in jail and 500,000 euros when the message can be seen by an underage person.”

I answered : “The mailbox is managed by an adult, the postman and the other employees are also—and the same goes for the recipient.”

And my interrogator countered with: “Yes, but imagine that the postman has your cards in his hand, that they happen to fall, and then suddenly a minor appears who happens upon them. This is likely to happen.”

I was genuinely speechless—

http://nicholasurfe.com/article/356/the-curious-case-of-philipe-pissier

Comments

[phil]

Here is a picture somewhat similar :
http://storage.canalblog.com/93/34/266698/39007044.jpg

[Hans Braumüller]

Hi Philippe,

what is the status quo of your case?
Do you have online a sample of your mail art, for which the french justice are making the violation of your human right of free expression?