Propaganda Posters

Host: NG at MR's

NG, who's been reading a A Portrait of David Hockney by Peter Webb, read about that painter's very early series of "vegetarian paintings" like "Cruel Elephant," and proposed that (B)ANO[S] members create some propaganda of their own. After some discussion, it was decided that members would all do posters on topics of their own choosing.

NG uses a slogan and self-portraits to make an anti-nukes statment. The use of glasses provides a through-line, from the reflection of the bomb to the way the frames are left sitting on the skull, providing consistency to the series of images. The pun of the slogan (which provides another through-line, back to the newspaper in the first panel) juxtaposes with the solemnity of the sentiment.

DH took the classic marijuana-legalization theme and created a kinetic, bold poster with immediate impact. He uses clear iconography (a joint, breaking handcuffs) and a classic red-black color scheme to get the message across, and the text has the one-two punch of slogan-statement above and below the drawing.

MR's poster is a playful departure from classic protest themes and the typical clarity of propaganda art. He makes a cheeky statement about social aid. His imagery contains anachronism, as it recalls bygone Cold War paranoia even as the poster references the freshly-retired space shuttle, nevermind that neither the Cold War nor NASA have much of anything to do with Social Security or Medicaid. A sly subversion of the night's theme, in true B(A)NO[S] spirit.

  

MC used a very worthy environmental cause in order to work with a subject important to his life, livelihood, and aesthetic: the beach. His weeping seagull references a watershed moment in the history of anti-pollution campaigns (note the Native American headdress in his prep sketch below), and his cartoonish waves reference his own work in patterns and textiles. His drawings have a naive innocence that makes the destruction of the shores they depict especially saddening.

Preparatory Drawings:

Further reading: Angry Graphics by Karrie Jacobs and Steven Heller

The other B(A)NO[S] poster project.

Working With Leather

Host: MC

This was a wide open project, the only guideline being to make something with the leather and tools provided by our host. Creation of an art object, rather than something strictly decorative was encouraged, but--as often discussed--that border is a porous one.

Taking his inspiration from Hermes scarves,
DH used chalk to sketch a design and an X-Acto to etch it in,

creating a muscular rendering, almost a repeating pattern, of

rope interplaying with free-floating pillars

MC's menagerie covers Pop figuration, American Southwest

decorative emblems with silhouette and stitching,

a Guston-inspired ghost with jewel eyes,

and the bold simplicity of  a two-tone rectangle with clear dimensionality

Special guest MM's bird figure also evokes an American Southwest folk/outsider piece, and makes effective use of the creepy accoutrement of a trained hooded condor

MR's lumbering horse has multiple layers but remains

obstinately flat, with a playful leather string curling out from the face, and a defiant hole punched into the base layer

After an early struggle, NG created an homage to the

cigarette-holding hands and watches of B(A)NO[S] fave Philip Guston

 Prior to the above, NG made a beastly totem figure,

using orange paint and yellow chalk

See these photos as well as process documentation here.

Portraits

Host: M.C.

4 pages were divided into four segments. (4 = number of members - 1) Each member wrote his name in the upper left corner of his sheet, then passed it to another member. In 3 minute intervals, each member drew one other member. IMPORTANT: no pencilling, time limits observed. After each 3 minute interval, a very brief discussion decided who would draw who next, and each sheet was passed (i.e., the sheet with "Harrison" written in the upper left was passed to someone who hadn't yet drawn Harrison). Moving around table for better angles permitted; what's vital is that all portraits are drawn while all other members are also in the act of drawing portraits.

Milton

Nathan

Harrison

Mike

Derick

This was a rewarding project that made us more familiar not only with our own and each other's techniques but also with our perceptions of one another. This was especially stimulating because it was Nathan's trial run with B(A)NO[S] and his first time meeting (perceiving, being perceived by) Mike and Harrison.

Project 5: Pop-Up Books

HOST: MR
We each had to compose a pop-up image on the subject of travel. It proved to be a challenging project for one session with little prep. For national chapters, we suggest you study the worksheets in advance, and also take time to consider your imagery.

Project 1: Linocut

HOST: D.H. (2 sessions)
Using a prepared linoblock, members use xacto knifes and woodcut tools to create an image. This image is printed on a small press.

Project 4: Trompe L'oeil

HOSTS: M.C. + D.H. -- PROJECT BY M.C. (2 sessions)
Using cardboard, paper mâché and paint, members create a "trompe l'oeil object.

Project 2: Collage

HOST: H.M.
For this project, each member is given a piece of cardboard and creates their own collage image. The page is shot, and then passed to the member to the right. The next member makes whatever additions, and then it is shot. So on and so forth.