ToyCyte: Toy Culture Collected

The Vivisect Playset has become one of the signature group art shows for our community. For five years now, Luke Chueh and Gallery1988 have curated and hosted The Vivisect Playset, an art show that features artists who regularly employed animal characters in their work to illustrate the human condition. The show has illuminated the talents of several artists, helped set the foundation and direction for Gallery 1988, and spawned a series of toys, produced by STRANGECo.

This years show features the works of Angry Woebots, Anthony Ausgang, Charlie Immer, Paul Barnes, Jonathan Bergeron, Scott Campbell, Luke Chueh, Matt Dangler, Camilla D’Errico, Dia, Daniel Elson, Brendon Flynn, Mayuko Fujino, Ghostpatrol, Peter Gronquist, Walt Hall, Moira Hahn, Thomas Han, Melissa Haslam, Stella Im Hultberg, Mari Inukai, Kamala Dolphin Kingsley, Joe Ledbetter, Lauren Moyer, Alex Pardee, Peek-a-boo, Isaac Pierro, Scott Radke, Amy Sol, Ben Strawn, Roland Tamayo, Tin, Amanda Visell and many others–including a few names who are new to the Vivisect shows.

Amanda Visell had one of the handful of sculptural pieces, which was in the company of a pair of swans by Scott Radke and a complex game of cat and mouse by Daniel Elson. Luke Chueh, Joe Ledbetter, Anthony Ausgang, Peek-a-boo and Thomas Han brought the familiar names and the big colors. Peter Gronquist and Alex Pardee upped the creepy ante. And Ben Strawn painted rabbits and seahorses on small blocks of glass that were so cool I apologize for the poor picture.

As is usually best, if you are local, check out all this great art in person at Gallery1988 in San Francisco until December 23rd. You can also find more information, including availability and prices here.