By Kirby on September 17, 2011
Photo by Mark Nagata
It’s been a full week since we had the opening for Toy Karma 3 in the gallery and I want to just take a moment to recognize those that were instrumental in pulling off this wonderful exhibit.
First and foremost, co-curators Mark Nagata and Yo Miyamoto of Max Toy Company deserve more praise than I can possibly put into words. Toy Karma as an exhibit was Mark’s concept in 2007 when we did Toy Karma 1, and he continues to steward not only this exhibit, but the appreciation of neo-kaiju as a whole. As the Japanese arm of Max Toy Company, Yo Miyamoto has not only helped develop the quality and beauty of Max Toy Company figures, he has been instrumental in bringing new Japanese neo-kaiju makers into the fold. For Mark’s wonderful recap on Toy Karma 3, please visit his blog here.
Second, and certainly not any less important, are the artists who are making neo-kaiju a thriving scene in both Japan and the United States and beyond. There are way too many to list here, but each and every artist who participated helped make TK3 something wonderful for it’s third installment. To see a full list of participating artists, view our Toy Karma 3 exhibit blog.
Also a major thank you is due to Monster Worship, Rumble Monsters, Zollmen, Plaseebo, Max Toy Company and Real Head for providing wonderful exclusive toy releases to help celebrate the opening.
Finally, not to be overlooked, our staff at the gallery like curator David van Alphen, and assistants Ed and Zach always go above and beyond to make sure our openings are ready on time. Thank you guys!
To view the exhibit, please click this link and send us an email if there is anything you’re interested in purchasing. Thank you!
Posted in Uncategorized |
By Kirby on September 10, 2011
The day is upon us! Toy Karma 3 officially opens this evening at 7pm. The opening reception goes until 10pm and we’ll have music by DJ Crotchbat, snacks by Fritz Pastry and sodas for all (while it lasts).
If you’re in Chicago and plan on attending the opening, you can stop by the store anytime today for a line ticket to purchase exhibit pieces and exclusives. No ticket is required to attend, the line ticket simply sets the order in which attendees get to make purchases.
Both exhibit pieces and exclusives will be offered to members of our Preview List after the opening (most likely on Monday, September 12) so if you’re not already on the list, sign up here.
Thanks and I hope to see some of you this evening!
Posted in Uncategorized |
By Kirby on September 7, 2011
Our last exclusive for Toy Karma 3 will be this visitor from space!
Big Muscamoot (from out Lake Monsters series) has made the leap from the lake to the endless skies in this version which we’re calling the Cosmic Version. Big Muscamoot stands 6.25 inches tall and will be available for $65.
Big Muscamoot was designed and sculpted by Chris Ryniak, with paint by Joe Somers (Squibbles Ink) and me, Kirby Kerr (Rotofugi).
All exclusives will be strictly limit one per customer.
Please Note: The exhibit pieces and exclusive toy releases for this event will NOT be available prior to the opening via our preview list. Attendees of the opening will have first shot at purchasing both exhibit pieces and exclusive releases. Remaining exhibit pieces and exclusives will be offered to our Preview List members after the opening, so if you can’t make the opening, make sure you’re signed up!
Posted in Exclusives |
By Kirby on September 6, 2011
Let’s face it, most of the exclusives for TK3 are on the pricy side this year. The weakness of the dollar vs. the yen plus shipping costs that seem to get higher and higher by the day add up and the larger figures just get downright expensive. So we thought we should do at least one small exclusive release for TK3….
Shown above (top) is a Real Head x Skull Toys Honesuke, cast in multicolor glitter vinyl (aka “lamé”) with a rubbed metallic pink paint treatment. At just 1.75 inches tall, this little skull-faced buddhist master will not break the bank at just $12.
Another really cool thing going on these days is the number of artists in the US that are getting into doing their own neo-kaiju style figures. One such artist is Bob Conge, aka Plaseebo. He’s made figures in both China and Japan before, but his newest figure, Molezilla, is a 100% US-based production, with vinyl being pulled by Veracious Vinyl. Pretty awesome….the two Molezillas shown above (bottom photo) will each be available in an edition of just 5 figures apiece, signed and numbered, priced at $135 each.
Finally….if I’m not mistaken the only exclusive release we’ve yet to show is our own Lake Monsters release. Things have been crazy for us lately so we’re a little behind on this one, but we’ll be painting the Lake Monster release tomorrow, so stay tuned for details. Thanks!
All exclusives will be strictly limit one per customer.
Please Note: The exhibit pieces and exclusive toy releases for this event will NOT be available prior to the opening via our preview list. Attendees of the opening will have first shot at purchasing both exhibit pieces and exclusive releases. Remaining exhibit pieces and exclusives will be offered to our Preview List members after the opening, so if you can’t make the opening, make sure you’re signed up!
Posted in Exclusives |
By Kirby on September 5, 2011
Here’s a taste of two more of the exclusive toy releases we’ll have for Toy Karma 3!
Up top is Greasebat by Jeff Lamm x Monster Worship, also known as The Real Fighting Greasebat. This wonderful monster stands 6.75 inches tall and price is TBD at this point. Stay tuned, we’ll update when the price is finalized. $85.
Below that is Apple Adam Answer by the good folks at Rumble Monsters. Cast in green vinyl with a blue eye, this evil apple stands 4.25 inches tall and will be priced at $110.
All exclusives will be strictly limit one per customer. More exclusive news to come!
Please Note: The exhibit pieces and exclusive toy releases for this event will NOT be available prior to the opening via our preview list. Attendees of the opening will have first shot at purchasing both exhibit pieces and exclusive releases. Remaining exhibit pieces and exclusives will be offered to our Preview List members after the opening, so if you can’t make the opening, make sure you’re signed up!
Posted in Exclusives |
By Kirby on September 5, 2011
With Toy Karma 3 only five days away (opening Saturday, September 10, 7-10pm) we’re going to be posting a lot of info over the next few days. Right now we’re proud to be showing images of three of the exclusive toy releases that will be available.
First up is a great pink Badzilla by Zollmen…this two-headed beast stands a whopping 10 inches tall and will be priced at $175.
In the middle is Bobongo, also by Zollmen, in purple vinyl and standing 9.25 inches tall. Bobongo will be priced at $165.
Finally, we’re super excited to be debuting the first painted release of this new figure by Konatsu x Max Toy Company called Kaiju Negora. Standing 3.75 inches tall, Kaiju Negora also includes a vinyl fish accessory and will be priced at $50.
All exclusives will be strictly limit one per customer. More exclusive news to come!
Please Note: The exhibit pieces and exclusive toy releases for this event will NOT be available prior to the opening via our preview list. Attendees of the opening will have first shot at purchasing both exhibit pieces and exclusive releases. Remaining exhibit pieces and exclusives will be offered to our Preview List members after the opening, so if you can’t make the opening, make sure you’re signed up!
Posted in Exclusives |
By Kirby on September 2, 2011
We realize you’ve quite possibly seen images of these elsewhere, but we’re just warming up over here and wanted to share some new images of some of the great exhibit pieces coming in for the opening coming up on September 10. Up top, a beautiful handpainted one-off Mikazukin by Itokin Park….in the middle, Cadaver Kid by Splurrt (which will be available in an edition of 5)…. and on the bottom, an amazing one-off Salamander Joe by master painter and toy designer Paul Kaiju.
Please Note: The exhibit pieces and exclusive toy releases for this event will NOT be available prior to the opening via our preview list. Attendees of the opening will have first shot at purchasing both exhibit pieces and exclusive releases. Remaining exhibit pieces and exclusives will be offered to our Preview List members after the opening, so if you can’t make the opening, make sure you’re signed up!
Posted in Event Information, Exhibit Pieces |
By Kirby on August 23, 2011
With Toy Karma 3 just under three weeks away, we’re going to start posting some sneak peeks! Today we’ve got a Saihatari by Amapro. We love this guy so much we’re using him on the flyers and posters for the show. Stay tuned for more over the next few weeks! Hope to see you in Chicago the night of September 10 for the opening!
Posted in Uncategorized |
By Kirby on May 26, 2010
We’ve just confirmed and posted dates for Toy Karma III…. September 10-October 2, 2011 at Rotofugi Gallery in Chicago! As always, the exhibit will be curated by the always awesome Mark Nagata of Max Toy. It’s still a ways off, but mark your calendars now…it’ll be here before you know it!
Note: We had originally announced this show as opening on Friday, September 9 but have changed the opening to Saturday, September 10 so that those from outside of the Chicago area can more easily attend the opening…sorry for the confusion!
Posted in Uncategorized |
By Kirby on September 17, 2009
Posted in Uncategorized |
