The Abstract

Some postcards that didn’t fall into any specific theme, but all shared the characteristic of being visually-focused versus subject-focused. However, the abstract qualities of these submissions often alluded to subjects and emotions born out of experience in the surrounding world and climate at the time of their creation.

These two postcard submissions are both reminiscent of the scientific illustration depiction of the Covid-19 virus—a gray sphere with several red, pin-like protrusions. The print on the left shows a repeating pattern of red, pink, green, and gray circular shapes and lines, while the postcard on the right presents two pencil-drawn, yellow-painted circular shapes against a red background, with multiple smaller circle and stick protrusions coming out from each shape.

This unique postcard was created from a piece of tree bark. Its rough, gray and white surface abounds with imperfections, bumps, and grooves. As witnessed in several other postcard submissions, many people took to exploring the outdoors and connecting with nature more intimately than they had pre-pandemic. Perhaps this piece of tree bark was found on a solitary walk of contemplation or during a restorative, connective jaunt with family or friends.

Using a collage method, this postcard was created from textures very recognizable to the pandemic. Pasted over an image of Home Depot are pieces of a pair blue latex gloves and bits of a surgical mask. Even broken into fragments the pieces are still undeniably recognizable. Written on the backside of the postcard is: “This was not on my bucket list for 2020 but these textures will forever be remembered.”

The last postcard featured is rather simple—a white and gray fuzzy blob pasted against a cardboard brown background. On its own, the image is left up to the viewer’s interpretation and could say a lot of different things. It is the message written on the backside of the postcard that provides contextual information for interpretation. 

The text reads: “To my future self: Today, emotion overtakes me as a burst out of seemingly nowhere. I long for a sense of rhythm. - current self”

Now, the fuzzy image takes on the representation of a complicated tangle of emotions rising up suddenly, a feeling that was familiar to so many during these difficult times.