Monday, December 10, 2007

Moody Idols - the Urban Vinyl Toy Movement

Moody Idols, featuring customs by local and international artists, opened on November 9 and runs until January 11, 2008 at the University of Lethbridge’s Helen Christou Gallery.

The U of L is home to one of the most significant holdings of art in Canada with over 13,000 objects. The U of L Art Gallery maintains the collection, organizes on campus and touring exhibitions and provides access to the collection as part of the Faculty of Fine Arts.

The Helen Christou Gallery provides a significant increase in public access because it is located in a prominent location that is part of the main pedestrian route for visitors and students. Because of its unique location, Moody Idols will potentially be seen by over 9,000 students, faculty, staff and visitors to the campus.

The show was organized by guest curator/artist Ted Stilson and Bovinyl. Moody Idols was a year and a half in the making and includes a diverse group of 47 artists representing 10 countries.

The Moody Idols show not only showcases 53 custom Moody’s, it is also designed to educate students, faculty and the public about designer vinyl toy culture and the ‘low brow’ art movement. Over 100 toys, plush, original art, prints and publications, ranging from 3” Dunny’s to a pencil sketch by Scott Musgrove, have been included as part of the show. Two video monitors and headsets have also been installed which show a variety of stop-action videos and the recently released ‘Toys Are Us: A Revolution in Plastic’ documentary by XRay Films.

Cameron Tiede (United States); Victor ‘Marka27’ Quinonez (United States); Ayako ‘Uamou’ Takagi (Japan); PhuEK (Singapore); Aaron Keeling (Canada); Tyson Summers (United States); ‘The Fiend’ (UK); Tan-Ki (France); Brandon Sopinsky (United States); Shin Tanaka (Japan); Megumi Nogochi (Canada); Janice Rahn (Canada); Misha ‘Streetrock’ (Russia); Khayne Tan (Singapore); Miles Van Yperen (Canada); John Oreshik (Canada); Erwin Weber (The Netherlands); Nick Louma (Canada); Dan ‘Wavedog’ Fenelon (United States); Keeley Carrigan (United States); Jason Kochis (United States); Will Osler (Canada); Michael Campbell (Canada); Jenn Rourke (Canada); Jeff Orriss (Canada); Chris Ryniak (United States); Barbara Warren (Canada); Lana Ing Gabor (Canada); Brent Nolasco (United States); Ian Bickley (UK); David K. Rose (United States); Bil Betsovic (United States); Sol Nte ‘Figurepunk’ (UK); Bo Ye (China); Erin and Kelly Carty (Canada); Anna Puchalski ‘Angel Devil’ (United States); Darren Booth (Canada); Devon Bowman (Canada); Wendy June (Australia); Jennifer Kellogg (United States); Matt ‘Mother’ Connelly (United States); PlaysKewl (The Netherlands); Attila Adorjany (Canada); Troy Denning (United States); Leila Armstrong (Canada); Bunka (France); Ted Stilson (Canada).

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Moody Custom by Tan-ki (France)







Tan-ki is a talented graphic designer and the creator of the Kitoy DIY platform toy. I was honored when he decided to apply his amazing talents to a Moody platform. His whimsical, psychedelic patterned Moody is a feast for the eyes. Viewers of this colorful custom are definitely taken on a 'Magical Mystery Tour.' Tan-ki is not only a talented artist and designer, but is also one of the main promoters of custom vinyl through his comprehensive http://www.kitoy.fr/ site. I urge you to check it out ... you won't be disappointed.

'ICU' Moody Custom by Pyprdwn (Canada)



"I opened my eye upon a strange and weird landscape. I knew that I was on Earth; not once did I question either my sanity or my wakefulness. I was not asleep, no need for pinching here; my inner consciousness told me as plainly that I was upon Earth as your conscious mind tells you that you are upon Mars. You do not question the fact; neither did I." - Adapted from A Princess on Mars (written in 1911, first published hardback in 1917):
Pyprdwn's cyclopean Moody custom blends perfectly into a backdrop of greenery.

Monday, March 12, 2007

Monday, February 19, 2007

Moody Custom by Angel Devil (United States)




Angel Devil, a.k.a. AD Puchalski, is an amazingly talented artist. She is probably best known for her unique, handmade, one-of-a-kind creations. She has collaborated with Toy2R on a variety of projects including the popular Cheshire Cat series. You can discover more about this extremely creative artist at: www.angeldevilland.com or www.wootini.com.

Friday, February 9, 2007

Sneak Peek at Dr. Bao/NVC Crew Moody Custom


Here's a sneak peek at the Moody that is being worked on by Dr. Bao and Spive. These images appeared in a recent post on the Toysrevil blog. This in-depth article provides readers with an interesting, behind-the-scenes look at the lives and art of these Canadian custom masters. Dr. Bao and Spive have quickly established themselves as two of the most creative, talented and respected artists within the designer vinyl toy movement. I can't wait to see the completed piece. Check out the post at: http://toysrevil.blogspot.com/2007/02/kustom-kungfu-with-nvc-crew.html.

Monday, February 5, 2007

'Mr. Moody' Custom by Jennifer Kellogg (United States)

When I decided to contact artists to participate in my Moody project, I thought that it would be interesting to invite people that weren't necessarily working within the designer vinyl art movement. Jennifer is one of those artists. Jennifer is a talented designer who has created her own line of jewelry that is currently being sold at a number of major retail locations across the United States. Her work has been featured in Maxim Magazine, US Weekly, German GQ, In-Style and many other publications. Her contemporary jewelry has even found its way into the collections of celebrities such as Paris Hilton and has been worn by cast members of the popular 'Sex and the City' TV series. Mr. Moody is one of two pieces she has created for my upcoming custom shows. Her next custom, 'Mooeep', is sure to spark fond childhood memories of Easter vacations. Here's a bit more about Jennifer and her thoughts about art and design - Jewelry, as an art form, has the power to create moods, provoke opinions and produce reactions. At her studio in downtown Manhattan, this is the design philosophy that New York based jewelry designer Jennifer Kellogg follows in creating and developing her own unique collection of jewelry. Although she uses precious metals and stones in her work, the design is of much greater importance to Jennifer than the intrinsic value of the materials she works with. Her ultimate goal is evoking humor, whimsy and rare imagination through the use of striking color and inventive design in each of her pieces, which is what gives Jennifer Kellogg her signature look. www.jenniferkellogg.com.

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Moody Custom by Erwin Weber (The Netherlands)

This impressive, well-executed, custom comes from the creative mind of talented graphic designer Erwin Weber from the Netherlands. The 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Moody' custom is a tribute to Erwin's childhood heroes. Erwin's other work includes illustration, logo design, web design and, of course, vinyl toy customs. One of his designs, 'Trexi Racer', was selected by Play Imaginative for their Series 2 set of blind box, 3-inch toys. www.erwinweber.nl.

Friday, January 26, 2007

'Moobot' Moody Custom by Dan 'Wavedog' Fenelon (United States)

The 'Wavedog' continues to push the boundaries with his unique, colorful and detailed customs. 'Moobot' is Dan's 3rd, and in my opinion, most impressive Moody custom. Although Dan works in a variety of mediums, his unique painting style is perfectly suited to platform toys. His art was featured in an in-depth article in the August Playtimes Magazine - http://www.wavedog.com/2news/platime.htm. Definitely check out his site to see more art from this prolific and talented artist. www.wavedog.com.