NADA House 2024

This fall, Yulia Topchiy and NADA House present Riitta Ikonen’s distinctive collection of 51 mail art postcards, assembled from materials found on Governors Island—acorns, oyster shells, ferry floor, clay, stinkhorn mushrooms, forgotten sun hats… each spun in the international postal system. The postcard-sized artworks narrate a story through their materiality, creating a tangible connection between the sender and the receiver. The exhibition spotlights Ikonen’s ongoing collaboration with the UK-based artist Michael Crowe and for the first time, the artists offer a personalized mail art subscription service to anyone —anywhere in the world. Their handwritten correspondence delves into deep details and offers visitors a glimpse into the island’s sideline narratives. The featured exhibits were painted on the ferry floor during the 8-minute rides to and from the island. Future subscriber’s postcards might arrive from any corner of the globe, reflecting Ikonen and Crowe’s meandering creative journey.