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Andrew
Oleksiuk
USA
Genetic
Memory Narrative Postage Genetic Memory Narrative Postage stamp places
the concept of artistamp production within the framework of Motherland
/ Fatherland. Since normal postage communicates the interests of the state
(potential Motherland / Fatherland), artistamps can reflect the interest
and history of the individual. Further, genetic memory is symbolic of
the search for memory of a pre-historical space inhabited by Mothers,
Fathers, Grandmothers, Grandfathers, and Great-Grandparents, etc. after
empire, revolution, sovereignty and war, and subsequent emigration and
immigration. "Narrative postage" is a play on "postal narrative" or the
search for history through normal philatelic and postal history documents.
In one case, a letter from Grandmother with United States postage in 1955
is symbolic of her immigration there; a letter from Grandmother with Poland
postage is symbolic of the governmental authority in 1935; a symbolic
of political struggle; and a letter from Cousin with Ukraine postage in
2002 continues the narrative chain to the present linking history and
memory to self and present.