toygiants

"Meeting the collector Selim Varol and seeing his more than 10,000 toy figures inspired artist duo Daniel (born 1966) and Geo Fuchs (born 1969) to create their latest photo series: TOYGIANTS. Following the successful exhibition in the Museum Villa Stuck in Munich in 2006, which predominantly showed political characters, this lavishly designed picture series offers a unique insight into the wide range of extraordinary plastic "heroes" and fantasy figures.

For more than 3 Years the two artists shot the Toys as portraits or in groups. Together with the collector they began to play with their subjects and generated partly grotesque, partly explosive references until nearly 1000 of the Toys developed a life of their own, an unnerving second life, now revealed in TOYGIANTS." [via]

- read more about the book details (and prices) and pre-order TOYGIANTS here

i had the opportunity to chat with Selim Varol (toy collector) about his new book, just ~ read about it (including images) after the jump :)

TOYSREVIL: when is the release date? and is there anything specially planned for the release of ToyGiants?

SELIM VAROL: it will be released in mid-April, and we are working on a release party together with an exhibit of 30 big photo pieces, here in düsseldorf/germany right now! :)

TRE: sounds cool! ... how did you feel, when you first saw your toys in print? especially since you are the collector yourself?

SV: its hard to describe, it gave my collection activities a whole new meaning. i love to share my collection with friends but this book carries it all out to the whole world. im proud of it! :) - especially the way my artist friends Daniel & Geo Fuchs shot all the pictures (is something i've) never before seen! im sure everybody will love this book!


TRE: how long have you been collecting toys, Selim? and how do you feel about toy-collecting now?

SV: its been about 20 years of collecting up to now. after 2000 i started collecting vinyl "crazy style", but today i pick very carefully & specialize on some artists. there are to many releases to keep track of & i already spend to much time on these buddies!

TRE: LOL @ "crazy style" (i know what you mean) what are your overall favourite image/s from the book, and why?

SV: my favorite pics are: the Kill Bill composition & the KAWS groupshot!



SV: Kaws is my favorite artist & Kill Bill is one of my favorite movies :)

TRE: a toy-collection to "die"-for, truly LOL! but with so many urban vinyls, why was a vintage Batman chosen for the book's cover? as was Astroboy?

SV: the Batman on the cover is an Italian 1979 Magnemo, one of my 1st superhero toys from my childhood!


(and) in one way the Astroboy with his open heart is a very personal matter! but he is also on the front cover (of the book) for the japanese market. the book can be read from back to front (and visa versa), with the japanese introduction also starting on the back! check the japanese title above astroboy. so it is a double cover! you like that idea?

TRE: very clever and cool, Selim! one final question: will there be a Toy Giants Volume 2?

SELIM VAROL: definitely! the shots in this book show about 1000 pieces & we have 9000 more to go! ;)


TOYSREVIL: thanks for the chat and images, Selim and good luck on the book conquering the toyworld! LOL