Custom Toys by Doktor A for Freak Mechanique @ LiFT (Nov 14 - Dec 9)
PRESS: "Freak Mechanique" features twenty-seven new works of framed and toy art by Doktor A in his largest solo exhibition to date. His distinctive "Victorian Futurist" style is both whimsical and intricate and his works have been featured in fine art galleries in the U.K., U.S. and Japan.
Please join us for the opening reception 11/14 starting at 7PM. art with have circus snacks and the first opportunity to see (& hold) the new exclusive 5" MAD*L designed by Doktor A and available only from LIFT. Doktor A will be "attending" for the first hour or so live from his studio in England via a retrorobotic video feed so please stop by and chat with the good Doktor.
CLICK THRU for a continuation of the press-text, as well as a round-up of toy-specific works from the awesome Dok! For paintings / artwork, they can currently be viewed online via www.liftfootwear.com ... please do pardon me as I go sponge-dry my drool which has since flooded the room due to gawking at the Dok's mind-numbing customs...
LiFT-PRESS-CONTINUED: Plus, we'll have giveaways including posters signed by Doktor A, Mechatorians and a Doktor A. Mad*L exclusive reserved in one lucky winner's name. But you'll need to arrive early in order to have a chance at these as we'll be giving them out shortly after the unveiling of the red curtain. For those not able to travel to the show, photos of the pieces will be posted on LIFT's website starting around 7PM.
THE RING MASTER
STORY: Barnabus T. Barnabus, the Hawker, Barker and Ringmaster of the show has travelled with it since the beginning. Originally "The Orrible Legless Boy" he purchased some wheels and worked his way up to run the whole shebang. His eye for the peculiar and his unique way with words have made him and the circus a monumental success. Many dispossessed Mechtorians now arrive at the Freak Show's doors seeking fame and fortune. But they have to be chosen by Barnabus to make the cut.
Though it is worth noting that he can probably be bribed with a packet of Custard Creams.
CONSTRUCTION: Contains parts of a Mei Mei toy, a Stephan LePodd toy and a Sqwert toy
Vinyl, rubber, lead, polymer clay, paper, ABS, brass, steel, found objects
SIZE: 8.25 inches tall
LESTER MOLESWORTHY THE FIXER
STORY: One of the last remaining original builder Mechs. Long since outmoded by bigger, faster, smarter machines, he now resides with the circus, repairing the collective and tending to their eccentric needs. He regales them with tales of early Retropolis. When there was room to roam and the hope that the makers would soon come was still present in all Mech's minds. Now few ever believe in the existence of the makers. But he remembers a time when there were still stocks of parts made by fleshy hands.
CONSTRUCTION: Wood, lead, ABS, brass, copper, aluminum, steel, felt, glass, polymer clay, paper, found objects
SIZE: 13.5 inches (height) x 8.5 inches (depth) x 10 inches (width)
DEXTER ROBES MAUDSLEY
Give Half a Penny for His Thoughts
CONSTRUCTION: Contains parts of a Creative Peeples toy and a Kaniza toy and includes wooden base and glass dome. Vinyl, rubber, lead, polymer clay, paper, ABS, brass, styrene, glass, cedar wood, steel, found objects
SIZE: Figure 6 inches tall; Overall height: 13.5 inches (including stand and dome)
STORY: His parents wanted identical twins! In fact that's what they commissioned. But when due to a clerical error only one little bundle of joy was delivered to them things got heated.
All the funds for children were spent. Another baby was out of the financial question, not to mention the fact that another one made separately from the first would never be quite the same. Arguments and threats of legal action against the workshop that made him did nothing to change the situation. So Sinister's father took drastic action. Driven to the edge of desperation and logic he did his best to turn their one offspring into two. He was not a craftsman and the job was not neat or skillful but it worked. Sinister is the more logic driven of the twins. He is a good businessman and a fine mathematician.
SINISTER ROBES MAUDSLEY
Not Half the Man He Used to Be
CONSTRUCTION: Contains parts of a Creative Peeples toy and a Kaniza toy and includes wooden base and glass dome. Vinyl, rubber, lead, polymer clay, paper, ABS, brass, styrene, glass, cedar wood, steel, found objects
SIZE: Figure: 6 inches tall; Overall height: 13.5 inches (including stand and dome)
THE OCULAR CLOPS BROTHERS
Asymmetric Optical Oddities
STORY: An experiment in basic optic geometry. And a resulting close knit trio of brothers. They watch out for each other.
SOLD SEPARATELY: #1: Uni-Clops / #2: Bi-Clops / #3: Tri-Clops
CONSTRUCTION: Customised Mad*Ls / Vinyl, rubber, lead, polymer clay, found objects
SIZE: 5 inches tall
THE WHIPPLE BROTHERS
Siamese twins joined at the Brain
STORY: When Ronson Travithick first introduced his revolutionary NanoClockwork brains they were all the rage. It was the height of fashion to be seen sporting one of these mechanical marvels in your newly remodeled cranium. Their extraordinary high price tag did, however put them out of the reach of many of Retropoli's denizens.
Twin brothers Arthur and Simeon Whipple hit upon the idea of pooling their money and purchasing one between them. Unable to come up with an agreeable rota of usage for their new acquisition they instead took the unusual decision to fuse their two bodies together and share the brain simultaneously.
As soon as they turned it on they realised the folly of their ways. But alas they had not the funds to undo their mistake.
Once the upgraded and refined version of the brains were released the following year the resulting drop in resale value of their own shiny think-stuffs made it impossible to ever gain the funds to separate. So they turned their mishap to their advantage and joined the Freakshow circus.
CONSTRUCTION: Customized Zombi toys / Vinyl, rubber, lead, polymer clay, paper, ABS, brass, silver, found objects
SIZE: 7.5 inches tall by 6.5 inches across
ABANDONED WOMAN
Forever waiting for her beau's return
STORY: It is said her betrothed departed on some dangerous expedition many years ago and she has awaited his return patiently ever since.
Found sat atop some cliffs watching over the harbor from which his vessel departed. Her finery rusted and her workings jammed. She was taken in by the Freakshow and carried with them on their never-ending tour. Maybe one day she will be reunited with her lost love.
CONSTRUCTION: Contains parts of a Creative Peeples toy and a Lefty toy / Vinyl, rubber, lead, polymer clay, paper, ABS, brass, found objects
SIZE: 11.25 inches tall
THE WOODEN BOY
Marvel at the primitive machine boy made from timber
STORY: An early experiment in utilising the new planet's indigenous arboreal matter resulted in this little fellow. No others were made as the requirements of chiseling each gear by hand made the manufacturing process much too time consuming. In his day he sported a fine lacquered finish with a wax polish luster. But many years out in the element reduced him to his present state.
And his head is now home to a small mouse like creature.
CONSTRUCTION: Customised Di Di toy / Vinyl, rubber, ABS, bamboo, polymer clay
SIZE: 6 inches tall
THE HIDEOUS PIGBOY
Witness the Unruly Hog Beast! Wonder at his attempt at social niceties
STORY: Oswald Trotter, an early Mechtorian with a porcine based design. Though highly intellectual, fastidiously about cleanliness and baring an uncommonly small appetite he finds others make contrary assumptions about these traits purely due to his appearance.
Annoyed by peoples pig ignorance he sought solace amongst those who would not judge him so fast.
CONSTRUCTION: Customised Squire toy / Vinyl, rubber, lead, polymer clay, ABS, found objects
SIZE: 5 inches tall
MR. D'ETH
The skull-faced specter from beyond
STORY: Some of the very early Mechtorians tried sometimes to be too much like their human creators. Such was the misfortune of Reginald D'eth. His makers modeled his cranium too closely on anatomical drawings of their absent erstwhile creators. And gifted poor Reg with a visage too shocking for general society. His basic stick-like arms didn't help the overall appearance of post mortem emaciation and he found himself hiding away from people gaze lest he induce in them a feeling of dread. He filled his solitary days with a love of stamp collecting and an appreciation of fine jellied fruits. Until one fateful day the Freakshow circus visited his neighborhood and he found sanctuary.
CONSTRUCTION: ABS, brass, rubber, lead, polymer clay, walnut wood, found objects.
SIZE: 12.75 inches tall
HOODED MYSTERY
No one knows who or what is under the hood
STORY: In the 16 years he has resided with the Freak Show he has never uttered a word to any of its other employees. He is kept restrained for his own safety as he is prone to violent fits during which he can badly dent himself and others.
Maybe he will forever be a hooded mystery!
CONSTRUCTION: Contains parts of a Creative Peeples toy and a Sqwert toy / Vinyl, rubber, lead, polymer clay, paper, ABS, brass, found objects
SIZE: 10.25 inches tall
THE ODOROUS FISH MAN
Abhorrent Piscine Denizen of the Deep
STORY: Obadiah Marsh was a tailor by trade who found he had an affinity with the sea. His small personal fortune was spent on many small alterations which over time helped him move with greater ease though the oceans of the world. His new styling and tedious obsession however made him unpopular at dinner parties and he soon found himself without friends. He found new friends at the Freak Show and decided to join their ranks.
CONSTRUCTION: Customised Koibito toy / Vinyl, rubber, lead, polymer clay, ABS, found objects
SIZE: 6 inches tall
NOTE-FROM-LIFT: All artwork will remain on display at LIFT through December 9th. Sold items will ship out on or before December 14th.
Please contact us by email (sales@litdetroit.com) or phone (248-545-5245) with any specific questions or to purchase available pieces. Note: Items marked SOLD are no longer available. Items marked PENDING are being held 24 hours awaiting payment.
SOURCE: All images and text via www.liftfootwear.com [*at time of this blog-post]
Please join us for the opening reception 11/14 starting at 7PM. art with have circus snacks and the first opportunity to see (& hold) the new exclusive 5" MAD*L designed by Doktor A and available only from LIFT. Doktor A will be "attending" for the first hour or so live from his studio in England via a retrorobotic video feed so please stop by and chat with the good Doktor.CLICK THRU for a continuation of the press-text, as well as a round-up of toy-specific works from the awesome Dok! For paintings / artwork, they can currently be viewed online via www.liftfootwear.com ... please do pardon me as I go sponge-dry my drool which has since flooded the room due to gawking at the Dok's mind-numbing customs...
LiFT-PRESS-CONTINUED: Plus, we'll have giveaways including posters signed by Doktor A, Mechatorians and a Doktor A. Mad*L exclusive reserved in one lucky winner's name. But you'll need to arrive early in order to have a chance at these as we'll be giving them out shortly after the unveiling of the red curtain. For those not able to travel to the show, photos of the pieces will be posted on LIFT's website starting around 7PM.
THE RING MASTER
STORY: Barnabus T. Barnabus, the Hawker, Barker and Ringmaster of the show has travelled with it since the beginning. Originally "The Orrible Legless Boy" he purchased some wheels and worked his way up to run the whole shebang. His eye for the peculiar and his unique way with words have made him and the circus a monumental success. Many dispossessed Mechtorians now arrive at the Freak Show's doors seeking fame and fortune. But they have to be chosen by Barnabus to make the cut.
Though it is worth noting that he can probably be bribed with a packet of Custard Creams.
CONSTRUCTION: Contains parts of a Mei Mei toy, a Stephan LePodd toy and a Sqwert toy
Vinyl, rubber, lead, polymer clay, paper, ABS, brass, steel, found objects
SIZE: 8.25 inches tall
LESTER MOLESWORTHY THE FIXER
STORY: One of the last remaining original builder Mechs. Long since outmoded by bigger, faster, smarter machines, he now resides with the circus, repairing the collective and tending to their eccentric needs. He regales them with tales of early Retropolis. When there was room to roam and the hope that the makers would soon come was still present in all Mech's minds. Now few ever believe in the existence of the makers. But he remembers a time when there were still stocks of parts made by fleshy hands.
CONSTRUCTION: Wood, lead, ABS, brass, copper, aluminum, steel, felt, glass, polymer clay, paper, found objects
SIZE: 13.5 inches (height) x 8.5 inches (depth) x 10 inches (width)
DEXTER ROBES MAUDSLEY
Give Half a Penny for His Thoughts
CONSTRUCTION: Contains parts of a Creative Peeples toy and a Kaniza toy and includes wooden base and glass dome. Vinyl, rubber, lead, polymer clay, paper, ABS, brass, styrene, glass, cedar wood, steel, found objects
SIZE: Figure 6 inches tall; Overall height: 13.5 inches (including stand and dome)
STORY: His parents wanted identical twins! In fact that's what they commissioned. But when due to a clerical error only one little bundle of joy was delivered to them things got heated.
All the funds for children were spent. Another baby was out of the financial question, not to mention the fact that another one made separately from the first would never be quite the same. Arguments and threats of legal action against the workshop that made him did nothing to change the situation. So Sinister's father took drastic action. Driven to the edge of desperation and logic he did his best to turn their one offspring into two. He was not a craftsman and the job was not neat or skillful but it worked. Sinister is the more logic driven of the twins. He is a good businessman and a fine mathematician.
SINISTER ROBES MAUDSLEY
Not Half the Man He Used to Be
CONSTRUCTION: Contains parts of a Creative Peeples toy and a Kaniza toy and includes wooden base and glass dome. Vinyl, rubber, lead, polymer clay, paper, ABS, brass, styrene, glass, cedar wood, steel, found objects
SIZE: Figure: 6 inches tall; Overall height: 13.5 inches (including stand and dome)
THE OCULAR CLOPS BROTHERS
Asymmetric Optical Oddities
STORY: An experiment in basic optic geometry. And a resulting close knit trio of brothers. They watch out for each other.
SOLD SEPARATELY: #1: Uni-Clops / #2: Bi-Clops / #3: Tri-Clops
CONSTRUCTION: Customised Mad*Ls / Vinyl, rubber, lead, polymer clay, found objects
SIZE: 5 inches tall
THE WHIPPLE BROTHERS
Siamese twins joined at the Brain
STORY: When Ronson Travithick first introduced his revolutionary NanoClockwork brains they were all the rage. It was the height of fashion to be seen sporting one of these mechanical marvels in your newly remodeled cranium. Their extraordinary high price tag did, however put them out of the reach of many of Retropoli's denizens.
Twin brothers Arthur and Simeon Whipple hit upon the idea of pooling their money and purchasing one between them. Unable to come up with an agreeable rota of usage for their new acquisition they instead took the unusual decision to fuse their two bodies together and share the brain simultaneously.
As soon as they turned it on they realised the folly of their ways. But alas they had not the funds to undo their mistake.
Once the upgraded and refined version of the brains were released the following year the resulting drop in resale value of their own shiny think-stuffs made it impossible to ever gain the funds to separate. So they turned their mishap to their advantage and joined the Freakshow circus.
CONSTRUCTION: Customized Zombi toys / Vinyl, rubber, lead, polymer clay, paper, ABS, brass, silver, found objects
SIZE: 7.5 inches tall by 6.5 inches across
ABANDONED WOMAN
Forever waiting for her beau's return
STORY: It is said her betrothed departed on some dangerous expedition many years ago and she has awaited his return patiently ever since.
Found sat atop some cliffs watching over the harbor from which his vessel departed. Her finery rusted and her workings jammed. She was taken in by the Freakshow and carried with them on their never-ending tour. Maybe one day she will be reunited with her lost love.
CONSTRUCTION: Contains parts of a Creative Peeples toy and a Lefty toy / Vinyl, rubber, lead, polymer clay, paper, ABS, brass, found objects
SIZE: 11.25 inches tall
THE WOODEN BOY
Marvel at the primitive machine boy made from timber
STORY: An early experiment in utilising the new planet's indigenous arboreal matter resulted in this little fellow. No others were made as the requirements of chiseling each gear by hand made the manufacturing process much too time consuming. In his day he sported a fine lacquered finish with a wax polish luster. But many years out in the element reduced him to his present state.
And his head is now home to a small mouse like creature.
CONSTRUCTION: Customised Di Di toy / Vinyl, rubber, ABS, bamboo, polymer clay
SIZE: 6 inches tall
THE HIDEOUS PIGBOY
Witness the Unruly Hog Beast! Wonder at his attempt at social niceties
STORY: Oswald Trotter, an early Mechtorian with a porcine based design. Though highly intellectual, fastidiously about cleanliness and baring an uncommonly small appetite he finds others make contrary assumptions about these traits purely due to his appearance.
Annoyed by peoples pig ignorance he sought solace amongst those who would not judge him so fast.
CONSTRUCTION: Customised Squire toy / Vinyl, rubber, lead, polymer clay, ABS, found objects
SIZE: 5 inches tall
MR. D'ETH
The skull-faced specter from beyond
STORY: Some of the very early Mechtorians tried sometimes to be too much like their human creators. Such was the misfortune of Reginald D'eth. His makers modeled his cranium too closely on anatomical drawings of their absent erstwhile creators. And gifted poor Reg with a visage too shocking for general society. His basic stick-like arms didn't help the overall appearance of post mortem emaciation and he found himself hiding away from people gaze lest he induce in them a feeling of dread. He filled his solitary days with a love of stamp collecting and an appreciation of fine jellied fruits. Until one fateful day the Freakshow circus visited his neighborhood and he found sanctuary.
CONSTRUCTION: ABS, brass, rubber, lead, polymer clay, walnut wood, found objects.
SIZE: 12.75 inches tall
HOODED MYSTERY
No one knows who or what is under the hood
STORY: In the 16 years he has resided with the Freak Show he has never uttered a word to any of its other employees. He is kept restrained for his own safety as he is prone to violent fits during which he can badly dent himself and others.
Maybe he will forever be a hooded mystery!
CONSTRUCTION: Contains parts of a Creative Peeples toy and a Sqwert toy / Vinyl, rubber, lead, polymer clay, paper, ABS, brass, found objects
SIZE: 10.25 inches tall
THE ODOROUS FISH MAN
Abhorrent Piscine Denizen of the Deep
STORY: Obadiah Marsh was a tailor by trade who found he had an affinity with the sea. His small personal fortune was spent on many small alterations which over time helped him move with greater ease though the oceans of the world. His new styling and tedious obsession however made him unpopular at dinner parties and he soon found himself without friends. He found new friends at the Freak Show and decided to join their ranks.
CONSTRUCTION: Customised Koibito toy / Vinyl, rubber, lead, polymer clay, ABS, found objects
SIZE: 6 inches tall
NOTE-FROM-LIFT: All artwork will remain on display at LIFT through December 9th. Sold items will ship out on or before December 14th.
Please contact us by email (sales@litdetroit.com) or phone (248-545-5245) with any specific questions or to purchase available pieces. Note: Items marked SOLD are no longer available. Items marked PENDING are being held 24 hours awaiting payment.
SOURCE: All images and text via www.liftfootwear.com [*at time of this blog-post]
