2007年10月31日 星期三
RESEARCH PAPER LAST DRAFT
Toys Become Art
Changes of Toy Design and Toy Consumers
Hsin-Wei Hsu
Intensive English Program
07/FA-ENGL-097-19
Sang Kim
October 22, 2007
Introduction
Walking into one of today's modern toy stores can make you have a whole new experience . Toys as an important part of children's lives have been coming to affect adults' lives, too. In the past, the meaning of toys was the things that children or pets can play with; however, recently their function and status have been changing. Art toys or design toys have been developing recently. Acroding to one studying (Crawford, 2005), art toys have been popular since the early 2000. This phenomenon is a part of a subculture trend which includsd urban art, street fashion, alternative comics, music and contemporary art and design. Art toys appreaded in Tokyo and Hong Kong first, then they becam popular throughout all the world. In 2000, some Japanese streetwear stores creadted their original toys as promotional items for their apparel labels. At the same time, a group of toys collectors and shop owners in Hong Kong hold toy conventions to show their wares. Some toys designers influenced by what was happening in Japan, and created their own original art toys. Now toys , which are a part of a subculture, have great influence on contemporary art. They not only have become mediums of art making, but also inspirations for artists. Phoenix (2006) has reported that "plastic objects are able to effortlessly assume forms and ideas of intense complexity or extreme simplicity, which means they can travel from an initial blank beginning to occupy emoyionally and intellctually satisfying territory in a way we traditionally demand of art" (Plastic Culture, 2006, p. 7 ). Toys become even artwork and have exhibitions in art museums. In April 2001, the famous Japanese contemporary artist, Takashi Murakami had his exhibition in the museum of fine art in Boston, and he showed some toy pieces of that he made. His artwork provide a conception which toys can be a form of art, and people have started to know about art toys or design toys. Obviously, the look of toys has been changing, and the buyers, too. The look of toys is rely on the design and materials, the design is becoming more artistic and there are more available materials can be used. The artistic design become the reason that not only children like it, but also adults. The toy consumer has been changing, some parent buy toys for themselves. With the expanding of art toys market, toys designer becoming a new popular job. Some toy designers have the unique styles on their toys, like Michael Lau and Kaws who are the successful toy designers, also, Medicom Toy company which have been making art toys since 1996 is the most famous art toy company.
Body Paragraph
Changes in Design
The design between common toys and art toys is different, because of the function of each group are different. It is true that design is based on function. Art toys are not have to be safe and have developmental functions, because they are not made only for children. Some of art toys are like statues which are not movable, even some have arthrosis or joints, they are not totally movable, and the propose of them is to make some specific poses. Also, Art Toys can be decorations which have the same function as artwork. If toys are not playable, the safety and educational function are not necessary. The designs of Art Toys are focus on the special shape, beautiful colors , different poses and details which like the way that artists make their artwork. Some famous toys designers even show their own style on their toys which make people can discriminate them easily, just like when you see Van Gogh's unique touch, you can tell it is his painting.
Art toys are more delicated than common toys, also the size and weight are different. Common toys usually have small size and light weight, because most of the users are children. In art toys, size and weight have no limit, it all depand on the designer's idea. A big art toys could be 72cm high, and the weight is about 9 kg like the "1000% BE@RBRICK" which made by MEDICOM TOY. Also, art toys have more delicately details than common toys. In art toys, colors are painted carefully, even the edge between two colors is very specific. Some of them have many samll replacement components, which can change the toy's appearance or pose.
The materials of toys making are also changing. The common material is vinyl, PVC and ABS, which are kinds of plastic, and they are still popular toy's materials until now. Some previous toys are made by tin or superalloy, but at that time, the technic was not good, so the toy's shape and movement were limited. However, with the developing of toy's making technic, these problems have seloved. Besides, the mold making skill improves. Comparing with common toys, art toys are more weak. Having many delicated delitals and components lead to art toys cannot suffer impact; however, common toys are stronger, because they are made for children which need endurable and no small accessories for safety. Also, some art toys combine different materials together. They use the vinjl for making the main body, than use superalloy for the apparels. Some real action figures' apparels even made by real leather, silk and jeans.
Changes in Consumers
Changes in consumers is also a reason of art toys developing. Before art toys appeared, the toys' main users are children. However, after art toys created a trend to all the world, toys are not only for children anymore. Young people and adults purchase or collect toys. According to one study (Phoenix, 2006), art toys creat a new conception for toys. Toys, which are commercial objects are transformed into art. Some art toys are made depend on comic , movie or animation characters, these toys can make young people and adults have nastagic feeling. Through collecting these toys, people can feel satisfied. Also, art toys have another reason that attract people, they can make fantasy become true (p. 27). Art toys can satisfied with young people and adults' imagination, they can make monsters, super heroes, robots and animation characters become object which can be touched and exhibited.
Art toys have wide connection with subcultures, suck as movies, animations and street fashions. Many companies have cooperation with toys companies, which produce the limited edition for attracting customers. People who addict to these subculture stuff may have a lot of opportunities to involved in art toys. Recently, even some famous exclusive brands have been cooperating with toys company, for example, in June 2007, CHANEL(Figure 1), CARTIER(Figure 2), COACH(Figure 3) and some famous brands had special plane with Medicom Toys Company. They made different 1000% BE@RBRICK toys for charity bazaar.
Figure 1. Figure 2. Figure 3.
Coach 1000% Be@rbrick Chanel 1000% Be@rbrick Cartier 1000% Be@rbrick
Art Toy Designers
Art toy designers are like artists, which use the same way to create artwork. There are two famous toy designers and one big toy company which have became the symbol of art toys and have a great influence in art toy field.
Michael Lau
Michael Lau(Figure 4) is a famous toy designer from Hong Kong. He was one of the originators of art toys. He created his first art toys in 1999, the "Gardeners", twelve-inch vinyl figures dressed in urban fashions with tattoos, had great success. His art toys included art, toys and fashion, which made collectors saw a new styles of toys and art lovers saw a new mdeium for art representation.
Figure 4. Michael Lau
Kaws (US)
Kaws designs many unique toy figures which contain his special style. In 1999, he released his first vinyl toy, "Companion"(Figure 5), in partnership with Tokyo's Bounty Hunter. That established his position as a founding figure in the art toy movement.
Figure 5. Original Fake 4 Feet KAWS Companion Figure
MEDICOM TOY (JP)
MEDICOM TOY is a toy making company which established in 1996, located in Shibuya, Tokyo. It makes many unique and creative toys that creats a new art toys trend throughout the world. Also, MEDICOM TOY involves in fine art, fasion design and urban culture stuff. Cooperating with artists from different fields is the distinguishing feature of MEDICOM TOY.
Figure 6. MEDICOM TOY Logo
Conclusion
Toys have been developing into art productions which have unique design and artistic styles, also, the consumers and users have been changing. Some famous art toy designers like Michael Lau and Kaws create their own styles on toys, which make them like artwork and rise the status of toys. McCormick (2006) reported that "Vinyl figures might be trivialized as toys, but by lineage and legacy this is actually the kind of subgenre that belongs to the species of artists' multiples".Art Toys have been developed only for 7 years, they are still new issues. It seems reasonable that Art Toys connect art and fun together, they provide people have an oppiortunity to own a piece of art. In the future, Art Toys could play an important role in culture, also, be an essential medium for art.
Reference List
McCormick, C. (2006). Vinyl rules: surrogate sculptures and the manufacture of
ldentity.FullVinyl: The Subcersive Art of Designer Toys, 118-125
Crawford, J. (2005). Introduction. Toys New Desugns from the Art Toy Revolution.
Phoenix, W. (2006). Character Merchandising and Mascots. Plastic Culture: How Japanese
Toys Conquered the World, 27-29
Figure 1. Coach 1000% Be@rbrick, http://www.hypebeast.com/2007/05/berbrick-charity-
auction-event
Figure 2. Chanel 1000% Be@rbrick, http://www.hypebeast.com/2007/05/berbrick-charity-
auction-event
Figure 3. Cartier 1000% Be@rbrick, http://www.hypebeast.com/2007/05/berbrick-charity-
auction-event
Figure 4. Michael Lau, http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,501020318-
Figure 5. Original Fake 4 Feet KAWS Companion Figure
http://www.hypebeast.com/2007/06/original-fake-4-feet-kaws-companion-figure
Figure 6. MEDICOM TOY Logo, http://www.medicomtoy.co.jp/index2.html
RESEARCH PAPER 6TH DRAFT
HSIN-WEI'S RESEARCH PAPER
Toys Become Art
Changes of Toy Design and Toy Consumers
Introduction
Walking into one of today's modern toy stores can make you have a whole new experience . Toys as an important part of children's lives have been coming to affect adults' lives, too. In the past, the meaning of toys was the things that children or pets can play with; however, recently their function and status have been changing. Art toys or design toys have been developing recently. Acroding to one studying (Crawford, 2005), art toys have been popular since the early 2000. This phenomenon is a part of a subculture trend which includsd urban art, street fashion, alternative comics, music and contemporary art and design. Art toys appreaded in Tokyo and Hong Kong first, then they becam popular throughout all the world. In 2000, some Japanese streetwear stores creadted their original toys as promotional items for their apparel labels. At the same time, a group of toys collectors and shop owners in Hong Kong hold toy conventions to show their wares. Some toys designers influenced by what was happening in Japan, and created their own original art toys. Now toys , which are a part of a subculture, have great influence on contemporary art. They not only have become mediums of art making, but also inspirations for artists. Phoenix (2006) has reported that "plastic objects are able to effortlessly assume forms and ideas of intense complexity or extreme simplicity, which means they can travel from an initial blank beginning to occupy emoyionally and intellctually satisfying territory in a way we traditionally demand of art" (introduction "Plastic Culture").(apa style) Toys become even artwork and have exhibitions in art museums. In April 2001, the famous Japanese contemporary artist, Takashi Murakami had his exhibition in the museum of fine art in Boston, and he showed some toy pieces of that he made. His artwork provide a conception which toys can be a form of art, and people have started to know about art toys or design toys. Obviously, the look of toys has been changing, and the buyers, too. The look of toys is rely on the design and materials, the design is becoming more artistic and there are more available materials can be used. The artistic design become the reason that not only children like it, but also adults. The toy consumer has been changing, some parent buy toys for themselves. With the expanding of art toys market, toys designer becoming a new popular job. (Hsin-Wei, this introduction is improved, but it still lacks some information. Please read Yi-Huan and Sone Hee’s introductions. Remeber, the introduction should be clear about the direction/contents of the body parts. You include toy artists, but in this introduction, you haven’t mentioned anything about these artists.)
Changes in Design
The design between common toys and art toys is different, (because the functions of each group are different.) and function could be the reason.. It is true that design is based on function. Art toys are not have to be safe and have developmental functions, because they are not made only for children. Some of art toys are like statues which are not movable, even some have arthrosis or joints, they are not totally movable, and the propose of them is to make some specific poses. Also, Art Toys can be decorations which have the same function as artwork. If toys are not playable, the safety and educational function are not necessary. The designs of Art Toys are focus on the special shape, beautiful colors , different poses and details which like the way that artists make their artwork. Some famous toys designers even show their own style on their toys which make people can discriminate them easily, just like when you see Van Gogh's unique touch, you can tell it is his painting.
Art toys are more delicated than common toys, also the size and weight are different. Common toys usually have small size and light weight, because most of the users are children. In art toys, size and weight have no limit, it all depand on the designer's idea. A big art toys could be 72cm high, and the weight is about 9 kg like the "1000% BE@RBRICK" which made by MEDICOM TOY. Also, art toys have more delicately details than common toys. In art toys, colors are painted carefully, even the edge between two colors is very specific. Some of them have many samll replacement components, which can change the toy's appearance or pose.
The materials of toys making are also changing. The common material is vinyl, PVC and ABS, which are kinds of plastic, and they are still popular toy's materials until now. Some previous toys are made by tin or superalloy, but at that time, the technic was not good, so the toy's shape and movement were limited. However, with the developing of toy's making technic, these problems have seloved. Besides, the mold making skill improves. Comparing with common toys, art toys are more weak. Having many delicated delitals and components lead to art toys cannot suffer impact; however, common toys are stronger, because they are made for children which need endurable and no small accessories for safety. Also, some art toys combine different materials together. They use the vinjl for making the main body, than use superalloy for the apparels. Some real action figures' apparels even made by real leather, silk and jeans.
Changes in Consumers
Changes in consumers is also a reason of art toys developing. Before art toys appeared, the toys' main users are children. However, after art toys created a trend to all the world, toys are not only for children anymore. Young people and adults purchase or collect toys. According to one study (Phoenix, 2006), art toys creat a new conception for toys. Toys, which are commercial objects are transformed into art. Some art toys are made depend on comic , movie or animation characters, these toys can make young people and adults have nastagic feeling. Through collecting these toys, people can feel satisfied. Also, art toys have another reason that attract people, they can make fantasy become true (p. 27). Art Toys can satisfied with young people and adults' imagination, they can make monsters, super heros, robots and animation characters become object which can be touched and exhibited.
Art toys have wide connection with subcultures, suck as movies, animations and street fashions. Many companies have cooperation with toys companies, which produce the limited edition for attracting customers. People who addict to these subculture stuff may have a lot of opportunities to involved in art toys. Recently, even some famous exclusive brands have been cooperating with toys company, for example, in June 2007, CHANEL(Figure 1), CARTIER(Figure 2), COACH(Figure 3) and some famous brands had special plane with Medicom Toys Company. They made different 1000% BE@RBRICK toys for charity bazaar.
Figure 1. Figure 2. Figure 3.
Coach 1000% Be@rbrick Chanel 1000% Be@rbrick Cartier 1000% Be@rbrick
Art Toy Designers
Art toy designers are like artists, which use the same way to create artwork. There are two famous toy designers and one big toy company which have became the symbol of art toys and have a great influence in art toy field.
Michael Lau
Michael Lau(Figure 4) is a famous toy designer from Hong Kong. He was one of the originators of art toys. He created his first art toys in 1999, the "Gardeners", twelve-inch vinyl figures dressed in urban fashions with tattoos, had great success. His art toys included art, toys and fashion, which made collectors saw a new styles of toys and art lovers saw a new mdeium for art representation.
Figure 4. Michael Lau
Kaws (US)
Kaws designs many unique toy figures which contain his special style. In 1999, he released his first vinyl toy, "Companion"(Figure 5), in partnership with Tokyo's Bounty Hunter. That established his position as a founding figure in the art toy movement.
Figure 5. Original Fake 4 Feet KAWS Companion Figure
MEDICOM TOY (JP)
MEDICOM TOY is a toy making company which established in 1996, located in Shibuya, Tokyo. It makes many unique and creative toys that creats a new Art Toys trend throughout the world. Also, MEDICOM TOY involves in fine art, fasion design and urban culture stuff. Cooperating with artists from different fields is the distinguishing feature of MEDICOM TOY.
Figure 6. MEDICOM TOY Logo
Conclusion
Hsin-Wei, remember what we discussed in our conference. In the conclusion, you will provide a brief summary of your paper and then you will add your interpretation. You didn’t summarize what you wrote before the conclusion.
Toys have been developing into art productions which have unique design and artistic styles, also, more and more adults are devote to them. McCormick (2006) reported that "Vinyl figures might be trivialized as toys, but by lineage and legacy this is actually the kind of subgenre that belongs to the species of artists' multiples".Art Toys have been developed only for 7 years, they are still new issues. It seems reasonable that Art Toys connect art and fun together, they provide people have an oppiortunity to own a piece of art. In the future, Art Toys could play an important role in culture, also, be an essential medium for art.
Reference List
McCormick, C. (2006). Vinyl rules: surrogate sculptures and the manufacture of ldentity. Full
Vinyl: The Subcersive Art of Designer Toys, 118-125
Crawford, J. (2005). Introduction. Toys New Desugns from the Art Toy Revolution.
Phoenix, W. (2006). Character Merchandising and Mascots. Plastic Culture: How Japanese Toys
Conquered the World, 27-29
Figure 1. Coach 1000% Be@rbrick, http://www.hypebeast.com/2007/05/berbrick-charity-auction-
event
Figure 2. Chanel 1000% Be@rbrick, http://www.hypebeast.com/2007/05/berbrick-charity-auction-
event
Figure 3. Cartier 1000% Be@rbrick, http://www.hypebeast.com/2007/05/berbrick-charity-auction-
Figure 4. Michael Lau, http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,501020318-
Figure 5. Original Fake 4 Feet KAWS Companion Figure
http://www.hypebeast.com/2007/06/original-fake-4-feet-kaws-companion-figure
Figure 6. MEDICOM TOY Logo, http://www.medicomtoy.co.jp/index2.html
RESEARCH PAPER 5TH DRAFT
HSIN-WEI'S RESEARCH PAPER
Toys Become Art
The Changing of Toy Design and Toy Consumers
Introduction
Walking into one of today's modern toy stores can make you have a whole new experience . Toys as an important part of children's lives have been coming to affect adults' lives, too. In the past, the meaning of toys was the things that children or pets can play with; however, recently their function and status have been changing. Now toys , which are a part of a subculture, have great influence on contemporary art. They not only have become mediums (medium of WHAT?), but also inspirations.(TO/FOR WHOM?) Phoenix (2006) has augued that "These plastic objects are able to effortlessly assume forms and ideas of intense complexity or extreme simplicity, which means they can travel from an initial blank beginning to occupy emoyionally and intellctually satisfying territory in a way we traditionally demand of art" (introduction "Plastic Culture")(2 suggestions: 1) paragraph this quotation. 2)check APA style.).Toys even become (even) artwork and have exhibitions in art museums. In April 2001, the famous Japanese contemporary artist, Takashi Murakami had his exhibition in the museum of fine art in Boston, and he showed some toy pieces of that he made. His artwork provide a new conception for audience (what is this? Explain the new concept and the reason that you believe this is a NEW concept.), and people have started to know about art toys or design toys. Obviously, the look of toys has been changing, and the buyers, too. The look of toys is rely on the design and materials, the design is becoming more artistic and there are more available materials can be used. The artistic design become the reason that not only children like it, but also adults. The toy consumer has been changing, some parent buy toys for themselves.
(Is this an introduction to your paper? Then add a subtitle for the next paragraph. At the end of the introduction, you need to introduce how you will develop your discussions.)(in the later part of your report, you discuss toy artists. You need to say something about them in this introduction.)
SUBTITLE
Acroding to one studying (Jim Crawford, 2005: APA STYLE, and expressions: According to Crawford (2005), art toys…), Art Toys have been popular since the early 2000. This phenomenon is a part of a subculture trend which includsd urban art, street fashion, alternative comics, music and contemporary art and design. Art Toys appreaded in Tokyo and Hong Kong first, then they becam popular throughout all the world.(CITATION) In 2000, some Japanese streetwear stores creadted their original toys as promotional items for their apparel labels. At the same time, a group of toys collectors and shop owners in Hong Kong hold toy conventions to show their wares. Some toys designers influenced by what was happening in Japan, and created their own original Art Toys.(I CAN’T see the connection between this part and your topic.)
The Changing of Design
The design between common toys and Art Toys is different, and function could be the reason.(partially because the functions are different in these two categories). It is ture that design is based on function. Art Toys are not have to be safe and have developmental functions, because they are not made only for children. Some of Art Toys are like statues, they are not movable. Even some Art Toys have arthrosis or joints, they are not totally moveable, and the propose of them is to make some specific poses. (Make them shorter.You mention two similar ideas in these sentences.) Also, Art Toys can be decorations which have the same function as artwork. If toys are not playable, the safety and educational function are not necessary. The designs of Art Toys are focus on the special shape, beautiful colors , different poses and details which like the way that artists make their artwork. Some famous toys designers even show their own style on their toys which make people can discriminate them easily, just like when you see Van Gogh's unique touch, you can tell it is his painting.
Art Toys are more delicated than common toys. Comparing with the outlooking, size and weight are different.(what do you mean?) Previous(not previous, there are still many toys for children. Find a new word to replace “previous”) toys usually have small size and light weight, because most of the users are children. In Art Toys, size and weight have no limit, it all depand on the designer's idea. A big Art Toys could be 72cm high, and the weight is about 9 kg. (Give a concrete name/artist/..with citations.)Also, Art Toys have more delicately details than previous toys. In Art Toys, colors are painted carefully, even the edge between two colors is very specific. Some of them have many samll replacement components, which can change the toy's appearance or pose.
The materials (for which? The materials used for creating Art toys?) are also changing. The common material is vinyl, PVC and ABS, which are kinds of plastic, and they are still popular toy's materials until now. Some old toys are made by tin or superalloy, but at that time, the thchnic was not good, so the toy's shape and movement were limited. However, with the developing of toy's making technic, these problems have seloved. The mold making skill improves, too. Now, the common PVC or ABS plastic toys can have very delicated detials and can have many joints. Although Art Toys are more beautiful amd valuable, they are not stable. Comparing with previous toys, Art Toys are more weak.(Combine these sentences. Hsin Wei, you need to read your paper several times. There are too many sentences redundant and most of all, you don’t have any citations.) Having many delicated delitals and components lead to Art Toys cannot suffer impact (what do you mean?). Previous toys are very strong, because the users are children, and they need endurable toys. Also, some Art Toys combine different materials together. They use the vinjl for making the main body, than use superalloy for the apparels. Some real action figures' apparels even made by real leather, silk and jeans.
The Changing of Consumers
The changing (Changes in )of consumers is also a reason of Art Toys developing. Before Art Toys appeared, the toys' main user(s are) is children. However, after Art Toys created a trend to all the world, toys are not only for children anymore. Young people and adults purchase or collect toys. Accroding to one study (Woodrow Phoenix apa style, 2006), Art Toys creat a new conception for toys. Toys, which are commercial objects are transformed into art. Some art toys are made depand on comic , movie or animation characters, these toys can make young people and adults have nastagic feeling. Through collecting these toys, people can feel satisfied. Also, art toys have another reason that attract people, they can make fantasy become true (APA stylechap. 2, "Character Merchandising and Mascots"). Art Toys can satisfied with young people and adults' imagination, they can make monsters, super heros, robots and animation characters become object which can be touched and exhibited.
Art Toys have wide connection with subcultures, suck as movies, animations and street fashions. Many companies have cooperation with toys companies, which produce the limited edition for attracting customers. People who addict to these subculture stuff may have a lot of oppoutunities to involved in Art Toys.(citation) Recently, even some famous exclusive brands have been cooperating with toys company, for example, in June 2007, CHANEL(Figure 1), CARTIER(Figure 2), COACH(Figure 3) and some famous brands had special plane with Medicom Toys Company. They made different 1000% BE@RBRICK toys for charity bazaar.
Hsin Wei, you have to explain what you are going to do in the next section.
Art Toy Designers
Michael Lau
Michael Lau(Figure 4) is a famous toy designer from Hong Kong. He was one of the originators of art toys. He created his first art toys in 1999, the "Gardeners", twelve-inch vinyl figures dressed in urban fashions with tattoos, had great success. His art toys included art, toys and fashion, which made collectors saw a new styles of toys and art lovers saw a new mdeium for art representation.
Kaws (US)
Kaws designs many unique toy figures which contain his special style. In 1999, he released his first vinyl toy, "Companion"(Figure 5), in partnership with Tokyo's Bounty Hunter. That established his position as a founding figure in the art toy movement.
MEDICOM TOY (JP)
MEDICOM TOY is a toy making company which established in 1996, located in Shibuya, Tokyo. It makes many unique and creative toys that creats a new Art Toys trend throughout the world. Also, MEDICOM TOY involves in fine art, fasion design and urban culture stuff. Cooperating with artists from different fields is the distinguishing feature of MEDICOM TOY.
Conclusion
Hsin-Wei, remember what we discussed in our conference. In the conclusion, you will provide a brief summary of your paper and then you will add your interpretation. You didn’t summarize what you wrote before the conclusion.
Toys have been developing into art productions, which have a whole new appearance and more and more people are devote to them. McCormick (2006) reported that "Vinyl figures might be trivialized as toys, but by lineage and legacy this is actually the kind of subgenre that belongs to the species of artists' multiples".Art Toys have been developed only for 7 years, they are still new issues. It seems reasonable that Art Toys connect art and fun together, they provide people have an oppiortunity to own a piece of art. In the future, Art Toys could play an important role in culture, also, be an essential medium for art.
Reference List
McCormick, C. (2006). Vinyl rules: surrogate sculptures and the manufacture of ldentity. Full
Vinyl: The Subcersive Art of Designer Toys, 118-125
Crawford, J. (2005). Introduction. Toys New Desugns from the Art Toy Revolution.
Phoenix, W. (2006). Character Merchandising and Mascots. Plastic Culture: How Japanese Toys
Conquered the World, 27-29
Figure 1. Coach 1000% Be@rbrick, http://www.hypebeast.com/2007/05/berbrick-charity-auction-
event
Figure 2. Chanel 1000% Be@rbrick, http://www.hypebeast.com/2007/05/berbrick-charity-auction-
event
Figure 3. Cartier 1000% Be@rbrick, http://www.hypebeast.com/2007/05/berbrick-charity-auction-
event
Figure 4. Michael Lau, http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,501020318-
216350,00.html
Figure 5. Original Fake 4 Feet KAWS Companion Figure
http://www.hypebeast.com/2007/06/original-fake-4-feet-kaws-companion-figure
Figure 6. MEDICOM TOY Logo, http://www.medicomtoy.co.jp/index2.html
RESEARCH PAPER 4TH DRAFT
HSIN-WEI'S RESEARCH PAPER
Toys Become Art
The Changing of Toy Design and Toy Consumers
Introduction
Walking into one of today's modern toy stores can make you have a whole new experience . Toys as an important part of children's lives have been coming to affect adults' lives, too. In the past, the meaning of toys was the things that children or pets can play with; however, recently their function and status have been changing. Now toys , which are a part of a subculture, have great influence on contemporary art. They not only have become mediums, but also inspirations. Toys even become artwork and have exhibitions in art museums. In April 2001, the Japanese contemporary artist, Takashi Murakami had his exhibition in the museum of fine art in Boston, and he showed some toy pieces of that he made. People have started to call them art toys or design toys. Obviously, the look of toys has been changing, and the buyers, too. The look of toys is rely on the design and materials, the design is becoming more artistic and there are more available materials can be used. The artistic design become the reason that not only children like it, but also adults. The toy consumer has been changing, some parent buy toys for themselves.
Acroding to one studying (Jim Crawford, 2005), Art Toys have been popular since the early 2000. This phenomenon is a part of a subculture trend which includsd urban art, street fashion, alternative comics, music and contemporary art and design. Art Toys appreaded in Tokyo and Hong Kong first, then they becam popular throughout all the world. In 2000, some Japanese streetwear stores creadted their original toys as promotional items for their apparel labels. At the same time, a group of toys collectors and shop owners in Hong Kong hold toy conventions to show their wares. Some toys designers influenced by what was happening in Japan, and created their own original Art Toys.
The Changing of Design
The design between common toys and Art Toys is different, and function could be the reason.. It is ture that design is based on function. Art Toys are not have to be safe and have developmental functions, because they are not made only for children. Some of Art Toys are like statues, they are not movable. Even some Art Toys have arthrosis or joints, they are not totally moveable, and the propose of them is to make some specific poses. Also, Art Toys can be decorations which have the same function as artwork. If toys are not playable, the safety and educational function are not necessary. The designs of Art Toys are focus on the special shape, beautiful colors , different poses and details which like the way that artists make their artwork. Some famous toys designers even show their own style on their toys which make people can discriminate them easily, just like when you see Van Gogh's unique touch, you can tell it is his painting.
Art Toys are more delicated than common toys. Comparing with the outlooking, size and weight are different. Previous toys usually have small size and light weight, because most of the users are children. In Art Toys, size and weight have no limit, it all depand on the designer's idea. A big Art Toys could be 72cm high, and the weight is about 9 kg. Also, Art Toys have more delicately details than previous toys. In Art Toys, colors are painted carefully, even the edge between two colors is very specific. Some of them have many samll replacement components, which can change the toy's appearance or pose.
The materials are also changing. The common material is vinyl, PVC and ABS, which are kinds of plastic, and they are still popular toy's materials until now. Some old toys are made by tin or superalloy, but at that time, the thchnic was not good, so the toy's shape and movement were limited. However, with the developing of toy's making technic, these problems have seloved. The mold making skill improves, too. Now, the common PVC or ABS plastic toys can have very delicated detials and can have many joints. Although Art Toys are more beautiful amd valuable, they are not stable. Comparing with previous toys, Art Toys are more weak. Having many delicated delitals and components lead to Art Toys cannot suffer impact. Previous toys are very strong, because the users are children, and they need endurable toys. Also, some Art Toys combine different materials together. They use the vinjl for making the main body, than use superalloy for the apparels. Some real action figures' apparels even made by real leather, silk and jeans.
The Changing of Consumers
The changing of consumers is also a reason of Art Toys developing. Before Art Toys appeared, the toys' main user is children. However, after Art Toys created a trend to all the world, toys are not only for children anymore. Young people and adults purchase or collect toys. Accroding to one study (Woodrow Phoenix, 2006), Art Toys creat a new conception for toys. Toys, which are commercial objects are transformed into art. Some art toys are made depand on comic , movie or animation characters, these toys can make young people and adults have nastagic feeling. Through collecting these toys, people can feel satisfied. Also, art toys have another reason that attract people, they can make fantasy become true (chap. 2, "Character Merchandising and Mascots"). Art Toys can satisfied with young people and adults' imagination, they can make monsters, super heros, robots and animation characters become object which can be touched and exhibited.
Art Toys have wide connection with subcultures, suck as movies, animations and street fashions. Many companies have cooperation with toys companies, which produce the limited edition for attracting customers. People who addict to these subculture stuff may have a lot of oppoutunities to involved in Art Toys. Recently, even some famous exclusive brands have been cooperating with toys company, for example, in June 2007, CHANEL(Figure 1), CARTIER(Figure 2), COACH(Figure 3) and some famous brands had special plane with Medicom Toys Company. They made different 1000% BE@RBRICK toys for charity bazaar.
Art Toy Designers
Michael Lau
Michael Lau(Figure 4) is a famous toy designer from Hong Kong. He was one of the originators of art toys. He created his first art toys in 1999, the "Gardeners", twelve-inch vinyl figures dressed in urban fashions with tattoos, had great success. His art toys included art, toys and fashion, which made collectors saw a new styles of toys and art lovers saw a new mdeium for art representation.
Kaws (US)
Kaws designs many unique toy figures which contain his special style. In 1999, he released his first vinyl toy, "Companion"(Figure 5), in partnership with Tokyo's Bounty Hunter. That established his position as a founding figure in the art toy movement.
MEDICOM TOY (JP)
MEDICOM TOY is a toy making company which established in 1996, located in Shibuya, Tokyo. It makes many unique and creative toys that creats a new Art Toys trend throughout the world. Also, MEDICOM TOY involves in fine art, fasion design and urban culture stuff. Cooperating with artists from different fields is the distinguishing feature of MEDICOM TOY.
Conclusion
Toys have been developing into art productions, which have a whole new appearance and more and more people are devote to them. McCormick (2006) reported that "Vinyl figures might be trivialized as toys, but by lineage and legacy this is actually the kind of subgenre that belongs to the species of artists' multiples".Art Toys have been developed only for 7 years, they are still new issues. It seems reasonable that Art Toys connect art and fun together, they provide people have an oppiortunity to own a piece of art. In the future, Art Toys could play an important role in culture, also, be an essential medium for art.
Reference List
McCormick, C. (2006). Vinyl rules: surrogate sculptures and the manufacture of ldentity. Full
Vinyl: The Subcersive Art of Designer Toys, 118-125
Crawford, J. (2005). Introduction. Toys New Desugns from the Art Toy Revolution.
Phoenix, W. (2006). Character Merchandising and Mascots. Plastic Culture: How Japanese Toys
Conquered the World, 27-29
Figure 1. Coach 1000% Be@rbrick, http://www.hypebeast.com/2007/05/berbrick-charity-auction-
event
Figure 2. Chanel 1000% Be@rbrick, http://www.hypebeast.com/2007/05/berbrick-charity-auction-
event
Figure 3. Cartier 1000% Be@rbrick, http://www.hypebeast.com/2007/05/berbrick-charity-auction-
Figure 4. Michael Lau, http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,501020318-
Figure 5. Original Fake 4 Feet KAWS Companion Figure
http://www.hypebeast.com/2007/06/original-fake-4-feet-kaws-companion-figure
Figure 6. MEDICOM TOY Logo, http://www.medicomtoy.co.jp/index2.htmlWalking into one of today's modern toy stores can make you have a whole new experience . Toys as an important part of children's lives have been coming to affect adults' lives, too. In the past, the meaning of toys was the things that children or pets can play with; however, recently their function and status have been changing. Now toys , which are a part of a subculture, have great influence on contemporary art.( Hsin-Wei, find an article and provide a citation for this argument.) They not only have become mediums, but also inspirations. Toys even become artwork and have exhibitions in art museums. In April 2001, the Japanese contemporary artist, Takashi Murakami had his exhibition in the museum of fine art in Boston, and he showed some toy pieces of that he made ( revise this sentence. What were the audience’ responses to his work? Find some news articles.) People have started to call them art toys or design toys. Obviously, the look of toys has been changing, and the buyers, too. The look of toys is rely on the design and materials, the design is becoming more artistic and there are more available materials can be used. The artistic design become the reason that not only children like it, but also adults. The toy consumer has been changing, some parent buy toys for themselves.
Hsin-Wei,
I haven't seen differences in the rest part of your paper, for example, there are no sub-titles as we discussed. I need to read your recent revision, not old one. Hurry!