ToyCyte: Toy Culture Collected

Friday night saw plush and vinyl monsters descend en masse upon G1988 in San Francisco. The furry frightfest featured artists from the USA, Hong Kong, Argentina, The Netherlands, Germany, Australia and beyond. Monsters were created by: 12Punt3, 2Cents, Adrian Pina, Anna Chambers, Beastlies, Brandt Peters, Buff Monster, Bytedust, Cameron Tiede, Chet Zar, Chocolate Log Industries, Crump, Crystal Bedford, Dan Goodsell, DGPH, Doktor A, Dr. Bao-NVC Crew, El Maz & Lina Britton, Eyebone, Forestprints, Heidi Kenney, Jake Henzler, Jamous, Jayson Thiessen, Jeff McMillan, Jellibat, Jen Rarey, Jesse Hernandez, Jon Schiller, Jumble Bugs, Kano, Kathie Olivas, Koadzn, Lana Crooks, Laura Granlund, Leecifer, Little Dear, Lost Monster, MAD, Maoma, Mister Funky, Monster Factory, Morninglori, Motorbot, Mycryptonauts, Rebelwookiee, Serena Kuhl, Sewing Stars, Sok-O, Spasmodica, Steff Bomb, Suicide Kittens, Tapetentiere and Tim Tsui.

All of the art was available for purchase (as well as a production run of Dan Goodsell’s Monster Toast) and remaining pieces can be viewed here. This was one of the most “pure fun” art shows I’ve seen in a while. It must be pretty hard to hang plush in a gallery setting, but they pulled it off with good lighting and a cool backdrop. Credit to Katie and G1988 for an awesome show and inviting me in early to take pictures. Art toys abounded, but no one was taking themselves too seriously between the spooky muzak and Kaiju Big Battel’s psychedelic presence. It’s also always great to see (in person) art by international designers I write about (like Tim Tsui, the inimitable Doktor A and DGPH to name a few), and it’s also nice to watch local artists like Leecifer and Anna Chambers have their pieces snatched up quickly. I learned that I find tiny polymer clay creatures irresistible and picked up a pair of Leslie Levings’ Beastlies. Cool chatting with those in attendance. For those who couldn’t make it (the show runs through November 1st), enjoy a virtual tour below.