In our next auction on December 20, we will delve into the world of Art Toys. To help you understand the rage of these dolls, we explain in this short video what Art Toys are, why they are works of art, who they are and what they are about. are its collectors, how much an Art Toy costs and the icons we present in our next auction.
Good luck with your bids!
Two decades ago, immersed in a scenario saturated by street art, hip hop, branding, graphic design, anime and manga, designers, creatives and artists decided to adopt the toy and give it a radical twist. This seemingly innocent object became a cult icon imbued with irony, humor and social criticism.
In 1990, Michael Lau, considered the pioneer of this movement, created his first collection entitled “Gardeners”. This limited edition Art Toys series, inspired by the G.I. Joe character and marked by an urban aesthetic, was presented at the Hong Kong Art Center.
In short, prominent companies such as Japan’s Medicom Toy or the U.S.-based Kidrobot are introducing their own characters to the market in limited edition series, each with distinctive styles. These companies, along with others that followed, collaborated closely with renowned designers and artists such as KAWS, TAKASHI MURAKAMI, RON ENGLISH, GARY BASEMAN, YOSHITOMO NARA and FRANK KOZIK. The contribution of these artists consisted in personalizing toys, thus achieving the creation of recognizable brands and transforming pop and mass culture into small works of art.
Chromatic bursts and eclectic shapes, with a diversity of sizes and materials, invade the shelves of the “kidults”. This newly coined term is intended to define these “adult children”, a novel audience composed of Art Toys enthusiasts and collectors. These objects generate such an overwhelming demand that the market is often overwhelmed.
This is how Art Toys enter the secondary market reaching prices that defy imagination. The fever for these collectibles has created a phenomenon where the explosion of colors and shapes translates into a market of high demand and value, turning the “kidults” into the protagonists of an unbridled search to acquire these unique pieces.
Works that are barely two decades old manage to triple records and set a milestone in auction houses. Nowadays, some of these exclusive creations have acquired such an exorbitant value that they can only be appreciated in art galleries, museums or in the hands of established collectors.
However, beyond their striking aesthetics and the message they convey, a fundamental part of this fervor lies in the wide range of prices they offer. These range from a few euros to four or five digit figures, opening the doors to new enthusiasts and experienced collectors alike, regardless of their tastes and budgets.
Immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of the auction “The Art Toys Revolution”, scheduled for December 20, where you can be enchanted by the iconic “Companion” or “Acomplice” from KAWS. These figures, recognizable by the unmistakable “X” in their eyes, have conquered popular culture.
The scene is also illuminated by the stellar presence of the Be@rbricks, those collectible pieces forged by MediCom Toy in Japan in 2001. Stemming from the same firm’s original Kubrick, these Be@rbricks feature bear heads. Among them, the Be@rbrick The Bride, inspired by the Bride of Kill Bill from Quentin Tarantino’s film, stands out.
Our icons include the “PupCup” and the “Little Wanderer” by Yoshitomo Nara, the “Rodent Grin” from the “Pop Art” series by Ron English, as well as the “Legendary Gold” from the “Lil Heroes” series created by Edgar Plans. In this auction, each piece is a visual narrative that promises to capture the unique essence of these talented contemporary artists.
It seems that Art Toys are not a passing effect and that they are here to stay in the art world.
