ToyCyte: Toy Culture Collected

In the increasingly claustrophobic designer toy scene, it’s nice to be able to see someone’s hard work really pay off. This is the case for Minnesota’s Erin Currie. I found my way to her art in a roundabout way. It was early summer 2006. I’d just read about a new website (Etsy) and service (Alchemy) that Wired had used to commission a plush Linux penguin. I needed a creative wedding gift. When I clicked over to Etsy.com, Cursters were on the front page.

A lot has taken place since I snapped up my cut-rate conjoined Curster gift: Etsy is flooded with indie softies, Cursters are at the top—selling for many times what I paid, and Erin Currie recently had her first solo show at the Toomer Gallery. The exhibit runs through May 31^st. Since I’m not going to be able to get to Minneapolis this month, I thought I’d check in with Erin and see what she’s been up to.

TOYCYTE: Hi Erin. It’s Jeremy from ToyCyte. I’m honored to have commissioned one of only two Cursters given as wedding gifts. My recipients loved it. How about yours?

EC: Here’s a pic of JSTAX, the two-headed guy I made for my friends’ wedding last fall–they love him of course.

TOYCYTE: I know you’re a firm believer in making art every single day. Can you tell me a little about what your typical day is like?

EC: Every day is different for me. Usually, I do regular-people type stuff–like cleaning and talking 3-year old….with some “working” snuck in there. Then at night, I make stuff. I don’t like to take naps or sleep more than 7 hours a night, so I can be up pretty late and I get a lot done. My studio is small. I’m super-organized. I make huge messes every day, and then I clean them up for the next mess.

TOYCYTE: Your minions, imps, bunnies and demons all have that signature creepy cute “Curster look.” Do you ever have a particularly good or bad day and make a creature that goes to the edge of the curve (ie. sickeningly sweet or scary)?

EC: I’ve made a few that were hideous, I swear to you. My mom bought them all–I have no idea why–she has great taste with everything else.

TOYCYTE: What inspired you to work with platform toys—like the Munny?

EC: I love the different outcomes of the Munny. Personally, I like to be restricted a bit to one form; it’s a good challenge for me.

TOYCYTE: You did a custom for the SOOPA show. How did you get involved?

EC: Ahhh…the SOOPA show! I got involved through Erick Scarecrow. Esctoys is producing my first manufactured toy coming out in just over a month from now!

TOCYTE: I read on DeviantART that your favorite medium is vinyl.

EC: I like vinyl a lot, but leather’s OK too. I only use repurposed leather….the hippie in me won’t let me buy it new.

TOYCYTE: Your favorite musician is Tom Waits. Second favorite?

EC: It’s like a 10 way tie for #2…..David Bowie’s up there and Rage Against the Machine.

TOYCYTE: Your work is available in your Etsy shop and also at Robotlove in Minneapolis. Roughly how many Cursters have your released into the world since 2006?

EC: I also sell on curster.com! About 600 Cursters are out there in the world so far.

TOCYTE: And finally, the obligatory final question: ToyCyte celebrates the culture of collecting art and toys. What do you collect?

EC: I have some things….I dabble a little, start collecting something, then get distracted with something else and the cycle repeats itself!

TOYCYTE: Thanks Erin! Can’t wait to see those Yetis…