CUST O
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kidrobots ilovedust are a multidisciplinary design shop on the south coast of England, specializing in brand identity, art direction, illustration, motion graphics and interactive design. from co-lab vinyl toys and custom-made fixed gear bikes to bespoke websites, they’re perfectionists in everything they do.
Amanda Visell from Los Angeles California, paints cartoony pictures. Her work is seen in many galleries and merchandise is sold at Disney World. She is a success yet did not go to school for art.
Sket One is a visual artist with an old school urban background. A Connecticut based graffiti artist who has designed toys for many toymakers. While now working as an Art Director for one of the leading sports marketing agencies in the world.
Frank Kozik, now in San Francisco, retired from poster design and gotten involved with designing and producting vinyl toys. He’s the most prolific and popular designers in the genre.
MAD (Jeremy Madl) who presides in Missouri has been professionally illustrating and designing toys for over 13 years, recieved his BFA in toy design from Otis College of Art and Design. Over his career he’s worked with many clients on a variety of todays largest brands.
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Mad Barbarians was formed in June of 2000 and became active on the street of Osaka, Japan They released variety of products such as postcards, stickers, original t-shirt designs
unlimited dunny Many different and amazing customs
Reverend Butter Dunny Ice Sculpture
events neon monster was invited to participate in a curated cross-pollination of culture and commerce at this year’s Design Miami. The historic Moore building provided us with an airy atrium (and fancy neighbors) in which to construct our Cave of Wonders. When you emerge onto the second floor, you’ll be greeted by an effigy of Mitch. Step inside and absorb the world we’ve created: it’s one of stalagmites and stalactites, crystalline patterns, glowing tree stumps and jeweltoned snails (that’s me!). Many of our visitors have likened the limited edition experience to being in a candy store. You’ll find hand-picked art multiples by Michael Lau and Daniel Johnston, original art toys by Arbito and Buff Monster, exclusive prints and T-shirts by Dalek, Reuben Rude and Josh Cochrane, and so much more. We’ll be at 191 NE 40th Street all month long, so why not come by and say hi.
multiversal group show features these custom toy artists: KaNO, Sket
art basel
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December 3-6th Miami, Florida
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One, Jeremy Madl (MAD), Buff Monster, Beast Brothers, Tony “Nakanari” Shiau, ReddPrime (Mitchell Horn), Josh “f+” Pearce, Besto, Michal Wright-Ward, Mike “m.heisler” Slobot, Okedoki, Jay222, Jon Burgerman, Felt Mistress AKA Louise Evans, Brian Colin, OsirisOrion, Zam, Sara Antoinette Martin, Dave “Outtamymind” Quiles, NREAZON, Kat Brunnegraff, Bryan Collins, Bob Conge (Plaseebo), Phoneticontrol, Mylene Tolentino, D-Lux, Mr. Den, Lana “Plushinator” Crooks, Ian Ziobrowski, Lysol, Squink!, Motorbot, Jenna “Scoopajdelux” Colby, Rsin Art, Nerviswr3k, Nasty Neil, Nemo, Keith Poon, Spanky Stokes, Patrick Francisco Part of the exhibition proceeds will benefit Hands Up Not Handouts [www], an organization that mentors women of the world in the design and production of unique, one-of-a-kind goods. The initiative focuses on women artisans who translate their traditional handicrafts into high-quality and innovative products that can be marketed at a premium price, using the profits to support their families and communities. Contact kazilla.art@gmail.com or www.MultiversalGroupShow.com for more information about the Multiversal Group.
On May 1st, Kidrobot opened its brand new flagship store in New York City. Just two doors down from its original location on Prince Street, in the heart of the trendy SoHo district. This is the 3rd incarnation of the store and the largest by far. With its 2,200 square-foot space spreading across 2 floors, an oversized 4-foot Dunny painted by Tara McPherson, and a wall to celling mural created by French graffiti artist Tilt, the new flagship resembles more like a mega emporium for designer figures, collectible toys, and apparels with playful graphics. The interior design team made certain that every portion of the new space was utilized. Staircase hand rail doubles as display modules for various MEDICOM TOY collaborations. Above and below what is visible to customers are storage space. Even a full wall of mirrors on the second floor are doorways to hidden dressing rooms. If you’re search is for a gift or for yourself, this is a store that you must visit.
small move Kidrobot moves a few blocks Kidrobot NYC Flagship-118 Prince Street-TEL #: 212-966-6688
website
lulubelltoys . com Items: Vinyl, Resin, Plush, Apparel, Books, Etc. the owner’s spiel I moved to Taiwan in 97’ it didn’t take me too long to get lost into toys. It started off simple - this little skull figure from Hot Dog Toys called Hallowteens. That was pretty much that. Oh sure, at first only bought little figures, but it wasn’t long before I realized I’d spent several hundreds of dollars on $5 toys. Fast forward a couple years. I ended up getting shipwrecked back home in Tucson. I thought it would be over but it wasn’t long before I was spending $50 bucks at a time on .50 cent Homies. There were tons of trips to Wacko in LA, Toy Tokyo in NY, and all types of random websites. While that was all fine and dandy I wanted more… my needs just weren’t getting met. I had to take matters into my own hands.-Store located in Tucson, AZ
vinyl
dcto ritual brush- Jibun Project - $40
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domo-kun- Dark Horse- $30
chumps- Frank Kozik/Kid Robot - $6
world of urban art activism
plasticland by frank kozik
books The man credited with single-handedly reviving the concept of rock posters as an art form, Frank Kozik was first exposed to the counterculture world of “designer art toys” on a trip to Japan in 1996. His collecting hobby soon mutated into a new profession, and in 2002 Kozik made the leap from illustrator to toy designer. Now considered one of the world’s top three underground toy designers, Kozik shares all the secrets of this arcane and cuttingedge art movement in Plasticland. This deluxe oversized volume, the first collected work of Kozik’s foray into this explosive new phenomenon, offers a fascinating look at the creation and end result of modern toy design. A dazzling photographic record of all Kozik’s production and custom pieces through early 2006, the book also features his new works in serigraphy and oil painting. - $30
A fantastic sequel to the bestselling Art of Rebellion, volume number two features a well presented up to the minute international survey of street art, introducing dozens of new and unknown protaganists alongside many well known artists who have been at it for years. The book draws the reader into a lush visual journey through the worldwide explosion of street art within the last two years and features tons of new work with original styles and techniques, all well documented with large scale photographs. Additionally the book features a selection of the best exhibitions and collaborations between artists and apparel and fashion brands from the past couple of years. No book better defines the extent to which street art’s influence on the arts and society has expanded beyond tags, posters and stickers in recent years. Featured artists include Miss Van, Kid Acne, Roadsworth, Faile, Blek le Rat, Dr.D, ElPussycat, Akayism, Jon Burgerman, Heavyweight, Matt Sewell, L’Atlas, G, Zevs, 56k, Stak, DOMA, Urban Blooz, The Yok, BLU, Dist, Erosie, Thundercut, Skewville, Derrick Hodgson, Eine, DHM, Koralie, Inkunstruction and more are brought to life through photos, interviews, and quotes. - $40
DOMO’S REIGN he’s everywhere (he’s everywhere)
On a winter day, there was an egg rolling into Usaji’s cave from somewhere. It was a brown, mysterious creature, Domo that appeared from inside. A funny and amusing world around a life as a “surprise guest” in Usaji’s cave. Tashanna and many other characters are their friends. This is the first character Goda created, and he is cherished as the first-born son for dwarf. Domo was born on 22nd December in 1998 as a commemorative character for the 10th anniversary of NHK-BS (the satellite channel of Japan’s public broadcaster). He has been appearing in 30 or 4 second spots between programs. The theme of the spots is “a life with TV”. He became a character for NHK from 2004. In 2008, the ten-year anniversary of his birth, Domo’s TV series (2 minute 26 episodes) started to air in 145 regions worldwide. Its broadcast globally on the most watched children’s channel, Nickelodeon, which is watched in 169 regions around the world by about 350 million households. Now there are more characters on the show, which expand his world. In the autumn of 2008, Domo became a Halloween campaign character for a mass U.S. merchandise retailer, Target, which has more than 1600 stores, and was active on the web and in the shops.-Tsuneo Goda / Director and character design
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“Ten years from the day I first decided to spray a red and yellow temple instead of my name on walls from here to Bangkok, I have immortalised the temple as a 3D resin hand-painted model.” Hand-Cast Resin Temple Models which have been produced as a four-strong series representing Love, Peace, Happiness and Death. Each edition is a super-exclusive run of 25 and features an emblem of one of Sickboy’s signature symbols: a heart, a peace sign, an acid face or a skull. The highly-anticipated 3D Temples are produced in the red and yellow Sickboy colour palette (painted red with a yellow resin), are hand-signed and numbered, and are presented in a special screen-printed box. Love edition is already sold out, the other 3 are still available for £150.00 at Sickboy’s website, www. thesickboy.com.
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1ST URBAN TOY ARTIST
Micheal Lau’s 10th Annual Exhibition Interview
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Interview: Season Chan/Jason Chow Photography: Season Chan For anybody familiar with the designer toy vinyl scene, Hong Kong’s
personal level, I think it brought light to the vinyl toy
Michael Lau evokes numerous thoughts of contribution and innova-
scene. Gardener really helped launch me to that next level,
tion. Largely considered one of the forefather’s of the designer toy
if it wasn’t for Gardner, I wouldn’t be here today. This 10th
movement, his work has extended far and beyond the realm of toys
anniversary is something important to me as I can help
into both art and sneakers. 2009 marks the 10th anniversary of his
educate the younger generation regarding what Gardener
ground-breaking Gardener toy franchise. Inspired by his own interest
represents as a lot of my first fans have now grown older.
in street culture, Gardener has taken on many forms since its debut. We took the opportunity to speak with him regarding this monumental
What have you got planned for the 10th anniversary of
occasion in addition to the plans behind the celebration of a decade of
Gardener?
Gardener, which includes a multi-day exhibition in association with Los
For Gardener’s 10th Anniversary, we have a series of things
Angeles’ De La Barracuda and MINDstyle.
planned. They include a limited edition shoe with Nike SB, a skateboard, limited edition figures with entities like The
Interview with Michael Lau
Hundreds, De La Barracuda and Slam X Hype and a book
Hey Michael, first off congratulations on Gardener’s 10th Anniversary.
which includes sketches, layouts and the whole design
For those unaware, what exactly is Gardener and how did Gardener
process behind Gardener. The book goes into detail about
begin?
many of my projects such as the conceptualization of toys
Thanks a lot… Gardener began back in 1998. I had a friend at Touch
as well as photography of my previous releases. The Nike
Magazine who asked me if I would be interested in having my own
collaboration involves Nike SB and the Zoom Janoski sig-
comic column at the magazine. At the time, I found the whole realm of
nature model. If you recall, I did a previous wood-inspired
street culture pretty fascinating and I was inspired by the likes of LMF
Nike SB Dunk Low back in 2006 but this time around I
(popular now defunct Hip-Hop group from Hong Kong), tattoo culture
went with a lighter tone and a stronger wood texture. The
and skateboarders. This essentially formed the basis of Gardener.
concept of the trim was based on that of a skatedeck with the different wood tones. All in all, the Janoski model is a
What does the 10th Anniversary of Gardener mean to you?
nice simple shoe, which was a pleasure to work with.
The 10th Anniversary is ultimately very important and meaningful to me. I don’t think its that easy for any toy franchise to make it to 10
How did you align yourself with De La Barracuda, for your
years these days, given that the whole designer toy market is relatively
upcoming Los Angeles event? How do you feel about
saturated and many toys out there aren’t doing all that well. On a
showing in the US for the first time?
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I’ve been involved with my friends over at MINDstyle for many years, however we’ve never really found the right venue to present my work and nothing really came to fruition. I’ve waited a long time before presenting my work in the United States. It’s sort of ironic, I would have figured upon Gardener’s conceptualization 10 years ago, that I would present him in the US a lot sooner seeing as so much of street culture’s roots come from the US. How did MINDstyle get involved? Originally MINDstyle was sourcing for factories to make their own toys, on a similar theme to my personal style, and they contacted my factory which led to our current relationship. As well, MINDstyle has a strong US-based network so it helped me in connecting the dots as I wasn’t that familiar with the US-market. Going forward, expanding in the US is something I’m definitely interested in exploring. How has the toy/art industry changed in the last 10 years, in your opinion? Do places such as Hong Kong and the
a kid, I wasn’t well off so I couldn’t afford any toys. As I grew older, I
United States have distinctly different toy cultures?
really enjoyed designing furniture and things in 3D, as I felt obviously
In Hong Kong, the toy culture scene is too fast and lacks
2D is too flat and lacks a certain perspective. I would trace out the
a certain artistic respect. Everything is quite trend-driven
lines on a piece of paper only to take them and fold them into actual
and people will pay these ridiculous sums of money to
3D models. After awhile, I would start playing and experimenting with
get “that toy” when the trend is popular, but as things die
clay. I still have this great fascination with working in 3D. Eventually,
out, all of a sudden they lose that appreciation. The trend
I would take my work earnings and put them towards things such as
aspect of toys is no different than other things locally such
Play Mobil and G.I. Joe. As for real vs. abstract, I would have to side
as cameras and cars. There’s only a small dedicated group
more with abstract design. It enables you to have a freer reign in terms
of fans that continue to collect and get excited about
of creativity and imagination, when it comes to design.
new drops. Conversely, in the United States, the market is much larger and for the most part people are better edu-
What has been your most memorable collaboration to date? What is
cated about the toy scene. With it comes a greater respect
your favorite toy?
and admiration for toys. The toy scene is no different than
My favorite collaborations are probably T-Garden and Mr. Shoe. With
other product markets, it gets saturated, but quality will
Mr. Shoe, I was able to see him tour around various parts of the world.
still emerge on top.
My favorite toys are probably my earliest ones like my G.I. Joes and my Play Mobil sets.
What initially attracted you to toys, do any other things captivate you in the same way? Do you prefer creating more realistic toys or something more abstract? My initial love of art came from drawing and sketching. As
brought forward
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buffmonster.com
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chubster The Rounder Toys
Andrew Bell has designed this amazing sushi toy set, called ‘O-No Sushi’. Showcased on dozens of toy and design blogs, it was a sell-out success at this year’s Comic-Con. Well for all of you not lucky enough to make it out to San Diego, DKE Toys has them in stock now, so act quick, they’re not gonna last long!
If you’re not clued-in on Mexican-artist Walter Jacott aka Chauskoskis’ custom-work by now, you should. Handy with sculpting and transforming a toy-figure into something else, while retaining the character of the original form, is what Walter does, and he does it oh so well, IMHO. Lucha Moola is in the house! DLuX knocks it out the park taking us way back to the old school exciting colorful Lucha Libre wrestlers.