The day we met, James Vance was working his magic 'setting stage' before the grand opening of the new shop Bodega, in Asbury Park. We became acquainted through the
owner, Mike Buess. While watching James at work, it was impossible not to admire his creative abilities and passion for what he does. To say this man is talented, is an understatement.
The Dog Collection
Can you believe this ingenious series
of paper dogs?
James created this collection
for the windows of Bergdorf Goodman.
Each canine, a masterpiece.
These prize winning pooches were sculpted only of Foamcore and glue! Can you believe it? Simply amazing!!
But the artist has other tricks up his sleeve! Look at this gigantic crow holding court in the Dior window at Bergdorf's.....stunning!
(Chandelier created for Berdorf Goodman)
SHEDDING LIGHT ON JAMES VANCE
A Mini Interview
(James Vance, now)
R~ Thanks for being here today James. It's a pleasure to have an opportunity to learn more about you! Please tell us about where you grew up and what it was like.
~
(above: James Vance ~ then)
JV~ We lived directly behind a shopping mall in South Florida. I remember doing a lot of 'playing' in the home furnishings and appliance departments, rearranging furniture, and plastic food.
(Pen created for window at B.G.)
R~Was yours a creative environment?
~
JV~ I created my own environment. I had a uncontrollable imagination, always overflowing with ideas. I lived most of my time in a dreamworld or in Televisionland.
(Typewriter created for window of B.G.)
R~ Did you attend art school?
~
JV~ I studied Graphic Design for a while, but at the time, I was more interested in the world of the avant garde and my budding career in nightclubbing. I left school to live in a storefront gallery in South Beach. This was the real start of my education.
(Phone created for window at B.G.)
R~ Can you tell us a bit about your creative journey?
~
JV~ Over the years, I have worked as a window dresser, set designer, prop stylist, muralist, graphic artist, event designer, art director, interior designer, gallery director, basically, every job that has now become a reality show on Bravo! I suppose I have a hard time focusing and I enjoy mixing it up.
(Hand created for window at B.G.)
R~ When did you start designing art pieces for the windows at Bergdorf Goodman?
~
JV~ Just for the past few years. I feel so privileged to work with such a amazingly talented team of artists. Their director of visuals, David Hoey, is someone I've admired for a long time, a creative genius.
Some of my paintings were shown in the windows at Bergdorf Goodman back in the late Eighties. So I guess it's true what they say, 'Once a window dresser...'
(James before the opening of Bodega)
R~ Where do you find your inspiration?
~
JV~ Ideas usually force themselves on me, I have a hard time keeping my mind quiet.
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R~ Do you have an artistic philosophy?
~
JV~ Not so much a philosophy. I do like to keep it fresh by forcing myself outside of my comfort zone. If a project sounds interesting, I take it on, usually not knowing how I'm going to pull it off.
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R~ I've heard you are also a DJ? Is this true?
~
JV~ It's something I've always done, here and there, over the years. Music has always played a part in my creative journey. Since most of my gigs are in Asbury Park these days, I've taken the alias of 'DJmeatnmore', from a local butcher shop.
*************
R~ Is being a DJ an artistic job? Is it the
same as creating other art?
~
JV~ My approach is more 'curatorial', and yes, any job can be done artfully. But mostly, I'm just paying homage to Apollo, and spreading the love.
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R~Thanks James, this was really great!
Happy Holidays~
