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Penny Postcard, a hometown greeting

During the early years of the twentieth century, countless penny postcards flowed from the Boise valley. Scribbled with notes from loved ones, they depicted beautiful municipal buildings, bustling street scenes or views of a prosperous business district. Then, as now, these images evoke strong feelings of civic pride. Residents and visitors identified with the uniqueness of the natural and built environment and wished to share it with friend’s afar.
 

The images selected for this mural were taken from genuine antique postcards and were among the most popular and widely published postcards of that period. Boise’s 1893 City Hall is featured prominently due to its importance as a symbol of permanence and community pride for many generations. Inspired by the multi-fold, multi-view postcard, I created a contemporary expression from traditional elements, which mimics the surrounding architecture. Viewed separately, these are easily recognized individual glimpses back in time; together however, they convey the innocence and optimism that typified the early twentieth century.

The unique dual-face picture plane treats the viewer to changing perspectives when seen from differing vantage points. The juxtaposition of monochrome face and colored edge panels, when aligned visually makes order out of chaos. Since many of the buildings pictured here remain today, Penny Postcard provides an opportunity to look back and also an invitation to look around.

Statement from the artist, Mark Baltes

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