Customer Reviews

Capolan: Travels of a Vagabond Country Artbox

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Nick Bantock has come up with a very innovative idea -- make a commemorative souvenir for the anniversary of a nation that has chosen not to exist. I have to admit, I really like the concept, but I was hoping for more of a story than a little 40-page booklet (which, in reality, is not much more than a pamphlet) explaining the heritage of these people. There's such a rich story waiting to come out, and all Bantock does is scratch the surface. I would have loved to find out more, but there's nothing else but stamps and postcards from which I could glean information. I've got almost all of Bantock's other material, and I have to say that, while it's probably one of the most visually satisfying works, it's one of the least satisfying as far as storyline goes. It's a good addition for an avid Bantock collector, but if you're looking to begin a love affair with his work, start with The Venetian's Wife or the Griffin and Sabine Trilogy.

Nick Bantock does not refer to himself as much a writer as a creative artist. This is reflected in the Capolan set.

The art is excellent and pure Bantock: colorful, expressive, off-center, collage-ish. The book is not good, though. The book tries to be pure Bantock - that is, meditiative, somewhat sad but fulfilled, and quietly anti-commercialist. However, it tries too hard. Artists agree that art should make the unfamiliar familiar, or the familiar unfamiliar. I believe Griffin and Sabine made Bantock's unfamiliar concepts familiar because of the familiar root - correspondence - combined with the rich, concrete detail rooted in basic human emotions. Capolan fails, though. Although the concept of a nomad nation is known to westerners, it is not familiar, and it is not made familiar since there are few rich, familiar details. Unless you are a Bantock devotee or an art lover, skip this one over.

This unusual "artbox" was a joy to discover. It's filled with stamps, artcards, and contains a little (literally) book about an imaginary country, "Capolan". It was really like nothing I'd seen before, and was really visually spectacular. I really liked the odd nature of the book-- written in such a serious tone, yet so obviously about things not of this world, I was at a loss what to believe...a country that (as we learn at the book's end) that has voluntarily agreed not to exist? Fascinating. I bought this as a gift to myself-- but it would also be a perfect gift for an art lover or one of the many Bantock junkies out there

After reading the reviews available for this title, I decided to pass on this book when it first came out. However, when I received it as a gift this past Xmas, I felt extremely foolish for allowing others to influence my decisions.

Nick Bantock is my favorite of all modern authors because, after reading his work, I always feel a liberation from the "face value" of things, or ordinary-ness, and a return to thinking of things in terms of the plausibly extraordinary.

"Capolan" is a superb vehicle for inducing this sort of thinking, and I know I will be using it often as the mental jump-start I occasionally need to avoid "coloring within the lines."

"Yeah, yeah...but is it any good?" I've heard several people ask since I read this book.

Well, that depends on whether you can appreciate things that could be, but more than likely aren't, yet still should be. Confused? Then buy the book and discover for yourself. For me, Bantock's books have always been about suspending one's disbelief from the rafters until it's blue and quivering, and "Capolan" is no exception. Thus, it's a wonderful book for me, and it's been a wonderful book for others to whom I've gifted it.

this is a wonderful artbox. the postcards and the stampsheet make it even more beautiful. love the story as well.i am planning to give this as a xmas gift to my friends.

This artbox is rather hard to rate. The box is beautifully presented; 15 postcards and a small sheet with two stamps are gently tied on the inside. Facing them is a little booklet in a slip-case. The art and presentation deserves a five-star rating. As usual, Bantock's collage work is amazing. However, the story is underdeveloped and much too short. To say that it is a 48 page book is highly misleading. It has about the same amount of text as a travel brochure, and I would give it one star. But if you enjoy Bantock, why not go for it?

Nick Bantock is a genius. He is a both a gifted writer and artist. He inspired my own creative musings in the world of digital collage over 10 years ago and each work of art is a rich puzzle that gives you new visual clues every time you revisit. I recommend any of his box sets and books. Capolan, in particular, is a wonderful introduction to Bantock's work as it showcases some vividly imaginative stationery in addition to telling the story of the fictitious lands of Capolan. If you know someone who collects unique stationery, this will take their breath away. It's almost too beautiful to put to use.