The Bottom Line: It's always a treat to get into the mind of creative geniuses and to see their thinking process and execution. Bantock gives the readers a taste of his world.
elvisdo's Full Review: Nick Bantock - Urgent 2nd Class: Creating Curious ...
“I love the idea of a creativity that honors the effects of time and makes mischief with history.”
—Nick Bantock
My wife loves making collage pieces. My wife is also a Nick Bantock fan. Ever since I introduced the author to her with his novel The Venetian’s Wife, she has been fascinated with his work. The combination of the two is exactly what the doctor ordered.
His storytelling takes on a lyrical feel, in the same vein of a traveling bard recalling his tales, and his imaginative art pieces is the perfect blend of careful craftsmanship and creativity. She later went on to the purchase his most famous work, the Griffin & Sabine saga, a wonderful and beautiful love story told through letters, but it’s the way that it’s presented that makes it extremely unique and personal.
But how is Bantock, the writer, able to create some imaginative pieces? How does he manage to blend the old with the new in his artwork? Urgent 2nd Class: Creating Curious Collage, Dubious Documents, And Other Art From Ephemera showcases Bantock, the artist, as he introduces readers into his world of art that sometimes seems to be bordering on the lines of eccentricity. But isn’t that the pedigree of any great creative person?
What is Old is New Again
Nick Bantock, who resides in Vancouver, British Columbia, takes readers through his creative process and describes the techniques he uses to create his art pieces. Urgent 2nd Class is really a guide for those who wish to learn how to create an old feel look to their artwork by embellishing and tampering old documents, envelopes, and other anomalies. His intention is to bring into focus things that may not even be considered an art form, and makes people aware of the everyday occurrence that surround their every day lives.
How many people even give a second thought to tattered letters, torn maps, out-of-date bank books, expired passports, or anything of the like? This is what Bantock means by ephemera, these transitory and short-lived items that usually get discarded or were never meant to be long-lasting in nature. He uses these items that have a sense of history to them and has fun altering its appearance to suit his need, such as creating faux mail and its ilk.
What is amazing is how Bantock alters history by creating such pieces. His finished pieces have the readers guessing whether this is the genuine article or the result of his imagination. And sometimes it does become a guessing game because there are times he doesn’t do anything to the materials he gathers. Sometimes, it’s presented in its original form, just because it looks better that way.
Bantock acquires his materials from the oddest places. He scours through junk stores, garage sales, eBay and other online auctions, storerooms, even garbage piles just to find anything interesting that he can use. And what he finds is also dirt cheap! He will never spend over $10 for any item.
Bantock then adds embellishments such as rubber stamping, postage stamps, hand lettering, labels, drawings, and anything that he can to make his work pop out. He creates something unique and unexpected from the original form. What he does his inform the readers that good art can be found anywhere if you open your eyes to what is around you. It’s only then will we have a real appreciation and a strong sense of aesthetics in out everyday lives. It also helps avoid the repetitious nature of the mundane beast.
This is a beautifully designed book that showcases a mere fraction of Bantock’s artwork and techniques, just over 200 pieces. His techniques using engravings, photographs, stamps, books and magazines, postcards, rubber stamps, collage, drawings, hand lettering, even photocopies, and so much more, is a fascinating look at the man’s thinking process and the creativity he uses to get his ideas across that sometimes no words can express.
This Canadian is really the consummate artist blending all forms of art, whether it be writing, illustration, collage, photography, or anything in his arsenal, and creating a documentation of who truly is. It is also a guidebook to bring out that hidden artist within you and start you on your way through the creative minefield.
Today, on July 1st, Canada is celebrating its 139th birthday. Yes, it’s Canada Day. Being a displaced Canadian living in America, I thought it would be a nice tribute to host a “Canadiana Write-Off” honouring this wonderful nation in the Great White North. And it can be about anything pertaining to Canada, even in the smallest of reference.
Maybe there’s a Canadian product or invention that you enjoy using that you would like to tell others. Perhaps it’s about your favourite actor/actress who just happens to be Canadian, or a movie featuring that person. Even better, how about a movie or television show that was filmed in Canada that served as a backdrop for another place? Or it could be about your trip to Canada, a musical artist or song, a favourite author or book, hockey and beer, or even your host of this write-off (okay, you can disregard the last one… use it if you’re completely desperate). I'm keeping this write-off open for the entire month of July.
Canadians never toot their own horn so I figure it’s time to get past that hurdle and expose the great things that have a touch of “Canadiana” in it. Drop me an e-mail or leave a link in the comment section, and I will post everything over here. Have fun with this, eh?
pmills1210 explains why the CFL (Canadian Football League) and JOGO trading cards are a good mix
JOGO CFL Cards (2005)
dragonfire88 pumps out another movie review where Vancouverite Seth Rogen has a part
You, Me, and Dupree
dragonfire88 is rolling out the movie reviews especially the ones filmed in British Columbia, Canada starring Uma Thurman
Jennifer 8
Another review from moi featuring Hulk Hogan as he writes about his experiences as a wrestler, and two of his memorable losses happened at the Skydome in Toronto, Ontario
Hollywood Hulk Hogan
Once again dragonfire88 is on fire with yet another movie review featuring Steve Martin, Lily Tomlin, and the most random Canadian connection from Quebec
All of Me
pmills1210 does it again by proving Bill Murray and company like camping out at Haliburton, Ontario and doing it in such a funny way
Meatballs
dragonfire88 is uncovering some truly amazing Canadian goodies as Albertan Melody Anderson shows why she plays a sexy Dale Arden
Flash Gordon
I felt some national pride when I watched the Canadian Men's Hockey Team compete for gold at the 2002 Winter Olympics
Gold Rush 2002
dragonfire88 is really on fire with another scorching movie review starring Andy Garcia, Robin Williams, and Richard Easton (from Quebec, Canada)
Dead Again
jankp is still wondering if Canadians put everything on their waffles as described in this book by British Columbian author Polly Horvath
Everything on a Waffle
Fellow Canadian cascogirl couldn't pass over this opportunity and has submitted a magazine review about Canadian country living that suits her just fine
Harrowsmith Country Life
pmills1210 is totaly having blast by explaining why Captain Kirk should stick to navigating starships instead of taking up the microphone
The Transformed Man - William Shatner
My lovely wife Bijou decided to join the party as well by also reviewing one of Bantock's books that includes cyberspace, Hindu mythology, and mystery
The Venetian's Wife
cascogirl got so into this Canadian endeavour that she also decided to share a few of her older reviews for this occasion. Here they are for your reading pleasure:
• A thriller of a movie starring Canadian hottie Rachel McAdams
Red Eye
• A novel written by anthropologist Kathy Reichs, a Montreal native
Monday Mourning
• A hotel review in Gananaque, Ontario owned by a Member of Parliament where cascogirl loves to do riding
Holiday Inn Express in Gananoque
• A car magazine that features Canadian prices and specs
World of Wheesl
• A Canadian online store that sells alternative *ahem* feminine products
Lunapads Online Store
His internationally best-selling Griffin & Sabine saga is treasured for its blend of lyrical storyline and compelling, imaginative art. Now Nick Banto...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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