CREATIVEMIX

Okay, let’s face it… buttons are cool. I remember collecting buttons when I was in elementary school and they were nowhere near as cool as they are today. Do you remember those really big ones? As a 10-year old I had these massive buttons from events like EXPO 86 and by my favourite pop stars like Corey Hart; I think I even had one of the A-Team… or was it Airwolf?

Buttons have evolved… big time, but thank goodness they’ve gotten smaller. And what’s really cool about living in this modern age of buttonness (fake word) is that anyone can make them! Artists and nerds, social activists and marketing wizards, anyone and everyone can make their own one-off button, a collectors series, or a gang-run of thousands. I had some made for the Camp Moomba Yogathon back in 2008 and they were so much fun to share and use as a conversation starter. Personally, I don’t wear them on my clothes but I like sticking them to a bag or on a cork board. I think a jean jacket is the ideal “canvas” for 1-inch buttons but I haven’t worn a jean jacket since 1988 (forgetting, of course, the denim relapse of 2003) so I’m not likely to start flashin’ the hot action at my next meeting any time soon.

Well, if you haven’t yet guessed where I was going with this… on October 22nd you’ll be able to make your own buttons at CREATIVEMIX! Chris Bentzen, from This is Plan B, will be bringing his button making magic to the Creative Exhibition so we can all get in on the action! How cool is that!

Special note: CREATIVEMIX is more than a conference, there will also be a Creative Exhibition which will be open to the public. Visit the Exhibition page to learn more about the hands-on stations like button making, painting, and photography. As well, if you want to show off your own creativity (or that of your company) please contact us right away as there’s limited space for exhibitors.

Posted by: Corwin Hiebert

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Check-out the action from the 2008 event

Now, whether you’re an artist, a button-wearing junkie, or just a curious creative you’ll want to attend their big event coming up. Here’s the details:

• Event title: Hot One Inch Action
• Date: Saturday Nov 7, 2009
• Time: Trading starts at 8:00pm
• Location: W2 @ Flack Block Gallery (157 Hastings)

They’re bringing together 50 artists, 50 buttons, and some hot button trading action with Vancouver’s hottest art audience. Conceived by Jim Hoehnle and Chris Bentzen in 2004, Hot One Inch Action is the original, one-night only show of art, music and social interaction.

The original work of fifty different artists will be chosen to be presented on one inch buttons. These one inch buttons are displayed on the gallery wall and the audience is offered the opportunity to buy randomly selected buttons in bags of five. If the bag purchased does not have the desired button, you are invited to trade with the people around you. How bad do you want that button?

Chris and Jim are now accepting submissions. It’s free to submit artwork and chosen artists receive 20 free copies of their button. Only one submission per artist. Check out details on hotoneinchaction.com. Submission deadline is Friday October 30 at noon.