Urgent 2nd Class: Creating Curious Collage, Dubious Documents, And Other Art From Ephemera

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Summary: Fan of Nick Bantock
Review: As a big fan of Nick Bantock, I particularly enjoyed his new book, Urgent 2nd Class. I am always fascinated by the process artists use to create their work, and this book showed the kinds of materials he uses, where he finds them, and how he transforms them. Very different from his other books, but particularly interesting to me.

Rating:
Summary: Eyecatching Graphics
Review: As in all of Bantock's books, the graphics are outstanding. Text describing techniques, however, is very sparse. If you're looking for instruction on technique, this is not the book to pick up. If you're looking for inspiration and colorful artwork using ephemera, this is a good one-hour read.

Rating:
Summary: Not a "how to" but "you'll want to" book.
Review: Bantock's engaging and often enigmatic collaged images speak to several portions of the mind and imagination all at once. In creating his imaginary landscapes, correspondence and characters, the reader (or viewer in many cases), is brought along for guided tours of places that exist nowhere but in his mind's eye.

In "Urgent - 2nd Class" we are given the opportunity to hear him describe the processes utilized during the creation of these journeys. Admittedly, I initially anticipated a step-by-step description of those processes, but after reading it a second time, realized that to do so would have been, well...just silly. Bantock describes in very general terms of "how he does it" but does not insult the reader by telling them each movement to make when attempting to create Bantock-esque works of art.

Instead, he tells you the basic approach he uses and lets the reader/artist to take the information from there. You know, I appreciate his confidence and gentle guidance. For instance, when telling the reader about using rubber stamps in their work, he sagely advises to just DO IT! Give it a try, try different inks, try different image placements and then make it your own.

I do recommend this book for those who want to listen in on Bantock's advice...but don't expect him to show you detailed explanations of what to do...instead, listen to him guide you along and inspire you so that you'll want to do it.

Plus, this book is a nice, tasty little treat just to look at, if nothing else.


Rating:
Summary: Not up to his other works
Review: I found this book quite disappointing and would not recommend it. It was like talking to Nick at a coffee table (which is interesting, ok) but not worth the money on visuals at all.

Rating:
Summary: Inspiring
Review: I just spent an entire sunday with this book creating my own scrapbook for 2004! For more inspiration, you should also pick up the extremely rare Bantock art project, " Averse to Beasts." This book and cassette gave me several ideas for "ditties" to write in my scrapbook.

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Summary: Fantastic Ideas!
Review: Nick's book is not about technique. Probably because there isn't much technique involved that can't be explained in two lines. What this book is really about is seeing the potential of items through Nick's eyes. It is really amazing what can be made with stuff anyone comes across. I found it eye and mind opening. Great stuff on creating documents, photos, books, stamps etc.