Moving studio contents this week, I found four small books that were mailed as mail art to me from the prolific and generous Brussels-based writer, Liza Leyla (Eliza Muylaert). Leyla is diligent about sending publications addressed to Renegade Library even though is not actively soliciting mail art anymore. No matter. Liza Leyla’s books and her personal notes are always welcomed at LFP headquarters! Past mailings from Liza that have included illustrations or writing from the late, great mail artist Guido Vermeulen (also prolific; and also of Brussels) have been deposited into RL boxes. Renegade Library is dedicated to Vermeulen, who long ago (1997?) introduced me to Liza, and who continues to inspire us both. Three of the books in front of me now each mention Guido Vermeulen in gratitude. The cover image of Crépuscule à Metropolis (2021) is a painting of Leyla’s titled Cobra in honour of Vermeulen. She even included a matted print of it for my wall. The image is a mystical abstraction, that is indeed in the style of Vermeulen, referencing the associations he had with CoBrA artists and his editing of Kitoko Jungle Magazine in the 90s. Also mentioned in these books is Marilyn Dammann, another mail artist who was a close friend of Guido and Liza, and who left us in 2005.
Liza Leyla writes evocative poetry and fiction that re-imagines or revives feminist mythologies. She has translated Stendhal and holds his work as an enduring influence. French language readers who are interested in these titles are invited to request them in the RML mail art exchange.
- Liza Leyla, Metropolis by Twilight (2020)
- Liza Leyla, Crépuscule à Metropolis (2021)
- Liza Leyla, Traces D’un Amour Etoilé (2019)
- Liza Leyla, Sun Fancies (America Star Books, 2015) (English)
Lois Klassen
