Postalco and Carrying Research
I first heard about Postalco when my friend Rick gave me a small book of theirs simply called MAPS. It was similar to an idea i’d spoken with him about, but like so many ideas nothing was ever done about it (i do still have a nice collection of hand drawn maps from all over the world, in a folder, in a box, that sits in a drawer).
The book is part of a series which includes Signs, Letters and Recipes, all celebrating the beauty and idiosyncratic nature of a hand written document, which in many cases can give you a better, or at least a different understanding of the subject in question.
As the book on signs explains “A hand written sign is speech made visible. In speaking there is gesture, body motion, and facial expression. The effort to transfer speech to paper signs often include underlining, circling, stars and boxes around words. The spontaneous punctuation helps the message sink in”.
Postalco produce much more than their collection of beautiful small books though (amazingly held together by a single well placed staple). They produce a range of really well made products reminiscent of a time when things were made properly and actually lasted long enough not to have to replace them, objects like bags and notepads that actually get better with age. They select very tactile, natural materials like pressed cotton, leather and paper for all of their products.
The company originated in Brooklyn but is now located in Japan with their studio and showroom in Kyobashi, Tokyo. What began with an interest in the international transport of mail progressed to paper, its immediacy, warmth and universal nature, which in turn led to some experimentation and research in to methods of carrying paper.
Their designer, Mike Abelson had a really interesting exhibition a few years back at Issey Miyake’s MDS/G space titled ‘Carrying Research’ based on his work exploring how humans in different countries and eras carry objects. The exhibition displayed his research and notebooks compiled over the last 8 years. Pingmag had a piece on the show back in 2005.
