Making Resin Robots With Cris Rose (TRE Interview)

Customizer. Toy-Maker. Artist. UK-based Cris Rose [www/flickr] is the creator of Runcible, Rotund (and soon Reaper) - robots with an entire story and history weaved around them. As hand-made and hand-painted resin figures, they are readily sold out as soon as they are released. This Saturday February 28th (from 18:00pm GMT) a new series of Rotund Edition A figures are scheduled to roll out [DETAILS] ... along with a few surprises (*cough*). You have a few hours (as of this post) to prepare yourselves for the onslaught @ crisrose.bigcartel.com.

But before then, perhaps CLICK THRU to read about a wee interview I had with Cris, in preparation for this launch. Also, I would advice you folks to bookmark this blog-post (for future "reference") for yet another surprise announcement will be made later in the day. heh. ONWARDS!

TOYSREVIL: First off - please share with us, WHO IS CRIS ROSE?

CRIS ROSE: Cris Rose is a 26 year old chap from London, with a duel love of nature and technology. Other things he enjoys are, in no particular order: Cooking, driving his Smart, building robots, listening to Aphex Twin, watching The Mighty Boosh, drinking tea, going to the gym, painting vines, taking photos and talking about himself in the third person.


[Portrait by Owen Roseblade]
TOYSREVIL: How have things been for Cris Rose, for 2008? Workwise / Creatively / Productively?

CRIS ROSE: 2008 saw me really throw myself into my art. After producing a fair amount of custom vinyl in 2007, i felt that i'd got to know the scene, met a lot of fantastic artists and collectors, and was ready to move onto the next stage. As I studied Product Design at university, i was well equipped to design and manufacture my own figures or platforms, and once the concept was fully developed, i set about getting on with it!

TOYSREVIL: Besides customizing toys, you've recently crossed over into "creator"-realms with the release of Runcible. From customizer to creator. Runcibles and Rotunds. How did the World of Runcible come about? And how long has the concept or at least the production of the figures been in development / fermentation?

CRIS ROSE: I came up with the idea of Runcible around 2003 while i was at Uni. I was fascinated by the speed of advancement in AI, Nanotech, Robotics and the internet, and felt sure that they would converge in my lifetime to make connected robots part of everyone's life. As I was also focused on environmentally sensitive design, it became clear to me that we were also going to hit a huge problem when our fuels ran out and our waste products choked us.

All the stories i knew about connected robots that were self aware seemed to say the same thing - that they will consider themselves superior and try to destroy us (The Terminator, The Matrix etc). I didn't believe that. I felt we were more than capable of destroying ourselves, but that if we did it right, we would leave behind a new race of artificial lifeforms that possessed much higher levels of consideration and morals than we were capable of as a race.


CRIS ROSE: The robots would know to preserve life, would repair whatever was damaged and rebuild the things that we destroyed. By being collectively linked, yet preserving their uniqueness, they would share the kind of unity humans never could. So while we continued to fight, they would work together,

I did agree with The Matrix in one respect though - humans would not accept artificial life as equals. More than that, they would fear them, and worry that they were being replaced as many lost their jobs to robots. For this reason, all robots are given Runcible's clear head and no voice. This way everything they thought would be made visible for everyone to see and there could be no fear that they were plotting against us or hiding subversive thoughts. It was that concept and solution that made Runcible the way he was - a large, clearly visible head with images inside it, and a delicate, slender frame that would not appear strong or threatening.


TOYSREVIL: Why the DIY-resin route? Any particular reason for resin? (Practicality or Creative?) Do you like resin, and is it the preferred material of your choice?

CRIS ROSE: The biggest benefit of resin, is the fast turnaround. From creation of the original to production of a run of copies, could take as little as a week! Getting the original perfect enough to take copies of, and painting the copies up for sale, those are the time consuming parts. The cost is also a big reason. To tool up a factory in china to do a run of vinyl figures is pretty expensive, so it's not practical for small runs. Considering that Mk1 Runcible never made it to 30 units before Mk1.5 was developed, it really makes the phrase limited edition mean something again!



CRIS ROSE: I like the freedom that resin gives me. I feel it increases my creativity, and minimises my creative constrains. From design to end product, every stage is in my control, and while i can't physically produce as many as i want or enough to fill demand, i am really happy that every stage has a lot of myself in it.


CRIS ROSE: One of the main concepts that Runcible (and friends) revolves around, is the visualisation of thoughts in his head. Casting organic matter inside clear resin is the only way i can think to achieve what i want, so i guess in that sense it is the ideal material, even if i wish resin was more impact-resistant. Clear resin can, however, be a real pain in the backside to work with.


TOYSREVIL: And they're looking absolutely fabulous with what you've done tho - especially with the neato inserts within the heads, IMHO! What are you inspired by? What are your influences, and how do they affect your work, and creative output?

CRIS ROSE: I'd say i was inspired aesthetically by Retro-futurism of the 1920s-1960s. I love the visions of the far future created by those time periods, and hope to have added my own turn of the century twist. Elements of Robbie the robot and Bender can certainly be seen, they're two of my favourites. Conceptually i drew inspiration from my late Grandfather's life as a radio repair man and the spare parts he left behind. I loved the idea of a robot whose main drive was to fix things - not in a thoughtless "this is my function" kind of way i've seen in every other robot, but in a philosophical, contemplative manner, with real thought and consideration. So i guess in some ways, my enjoyment of philosophy also influenced me to create a robot that was more than just a machine.

TOYSREVIL: As a creator and artist yourself - do you think you've achieved what you set out to do, in 2008? If yes, how so? If no, what do you think happened?

CRIS ROSE: I set out to improve my art, and move it onto the next level, and i feel i've achieved this. I'm now working in the medium i enjoy the most, 3D, and have been able to express concepts and stories that i wasn't able to before. While i still greatly enjoying painting forms and characters designed by others, i feel a lot more of me goes into my Resin, and so i feel i'm getting a lot more out of the work i produce. That makes me happy, and happiness is the main goal i've set for myself.


TOYSREVIL: What were the milestones, for Cris Rose, in 2008? Any particular product you are proudest of?

CRIS ROSE: I can't say i'm a big "milestone" person, as i always feel i can do more, i always feel i can improve and do better, and i'm thinking of the next thing before the current thing has happened. It's more like one continuous drive towards self-improvement. I feel i crossed a boundary when i released Runcible as i'd been imagining him for so long, but it felt like the start of something extensive rather than a bullet-point achievement. Obviously he is what i am most proud of :)


TOYSREVIL: How do you think 2008 fared, in terms of toy quality in the general market?

CRIS ROSE: I think 2008 was mixed in terms of toy quality. From what i saw, there seemed to be a dip at the start in terms of manufacturing quality, but a rise at the end, so that was nice to see. The market clearly grew a lot, and that seemed to be reflected in run numbers rising quite a bit, some even going unlimited - which was somewhat of a mixed blessing. It was good from the point of view that more people were able to enjoy the work of that artist and they were easier to come by, but unlike older, more limited pieces, they didn't seem to hold their value as well, if at all. It's a shame to see a great piece be largely ignored just because there was more than 1000 made!

TOYSREVIL: How is the scene in UK? (Designer vinyls, custom shows or otherwise?) And what's the direction you see it making for 2009?

CRIS ROSE: The UK scene seemed quite quiet this year in terms of shows. A strong start to the year seemed to drop off quickly and before we knew it, it was 2009. However everyone seems to have kept in touch and themselves busy regardless, with the likes of the excellent Doktor A making a real worldwide impression which was great to see! TADO, Peskimo and Jon Burgerman also saw strong releases this year in my opinion, flying the flag for Blighty. Looking forward to more excellent releases from them and other UK artists in 2009!


TOYSREVIL: Here, here! With all this talk of worldwide recession, how do you think the toy market will do, in the very near future? Or will it not be affected much at all? How does one "survive" in the new year to come? Is the market expanding, or shrinking?

CRIS ROSE: So far, i can't say i'm seeing much effect from the recession, apart from the fall of the pound against the dollar - it's made it a lot more expensive for me to buy my Vinyl from the states, and the UK doesn't always get the items i'm after. However, once the recession becomes a depression, i get the feeling that even those with secure jobs and cash to invest in art are going to start saving rather than spending.

That said, many people are going to be looking to generate some extra cash, so i think a lot of older, rarer items will start to resurface and become available at more affordable prices than we've seen recently. I am hoping that this global lack of spare cash will help squash the "flipper" market as i feel it's got a little out of control - art deserves to go to the art lovers and the proceeds to the artists.

I'm not sure if i can offer too much advice on "how to survive" it as an artist, but i think it's going to become more important to offer something for every budget, whether you've got $20 or $200. It's certainly hard as a busy artist to offer items at the $20 range and still put food on the table, but i think it's going to becoming increasingly important.

TOYSREVIL: Where do you see yourself in the scheme of things? What can folks look forward to, in 2009 - from Cris Rose? (C'mon, SPILL'EM! LOL)

CRIS ROSE: I see myself as just starting. I'm incredibly grateful for all the support i have had from those that have bought my work, from my brilliant friends and from everyone in the community that has offered support and constructive criticism. I wouldn't be where i am now without them. I'm looking forward to reaching a wider audience, continuing to improve my skills, exploring my current styles and characters and introducing new and different ones.

In terms of new releases, there will be a Mk2 Runcible soon, with a new tougher, more robust body - his original one was fine when he lived in houses, serving humans and interacting with them, but the demands of his new life in the forests and mountains saw it far too easily damaged! So he made himself a new one, much more like Rotund, but with extra armour plating that he can add when he's really getting stuck in!


[Runcible MK2 Declassified on TRE]
CRIS ROSE: There will also be a second version of Rotund built on a similar theme. He was always designed to be robust so that he could take all the abuse kids throw at the things they play with but after falling out of one too many trees and off one too many mountains, Runcible decides he needs something even stronger.


[CLICK for release details of ROTUND Edition A this Saturday February 28th]
CRIS ROSE: Near the end of the year, i'm hoping to introduce the 3rd character from this world, one that will answer some questions about what happened to all the humans and how everything went so wrong. Reaper will be large and more complex than Runcible or Rotund, he's going to be very low run and quite expensive. Designed for agricultural work, Runcible discovers him almost entirely buried, but otherwise in great condition. He repairs Reaper and brings him back to life. Such a big, strong robot would be ideal for helping out with all the heavy lifting work, right? There's no way he could possibly be destructive, could he? That's just not what robots are like in Runcible's world....

Once Reaper has been introduced, Runcible and Rotund will find themselves with more on their plate than they expected. They will have to arm themselves and fight back, so expect big guns and missiles from subsequent releases!


CRIS ROSE: I'm also working on some designs for some non-robotic characters with a strong nature theme and their own world, separate from that of Runcible. I'll release more info about them when they're closer to production :)

I'm planning to produce some resin versions of other artist's characters this year, working closely with them to accurately bring them to life. I'd like to make a name for myself doing this, so watch this space!

Finally, i'm hoping to put on a two-man show with the fantastic Okkle sometime this year. It will be quite focused on our Resin and custom vinyl, but will hopefully see some collaborative canvases as well. We're both crazy busy though, so hopefully we can make enough time for it!

CRIS PICKTOYSREVIL: And when are ye gonna take a break, I wonder? LOL - Regrets and Resolutions - I'm not too big on "resolutions" becoz everyone seems to regret not holding unto them - so let's go with: Anything you regret doing, and/or regret NOT doing, in 2008?

CRIS ROSE: I can't say there's anything i regret doing. I'm disappointed that so many of my show pieces either got lost in the mail, damaged or returned, and so didn't make it to the shows in question - so i guess not spending more on Postage? lol

TOYSREVIL: And since this is a "toys-blog" - What was the Best toy you bought in 2008? And which one was it you wished you hadn't bought? and why?

CRIS ROSE: My single favourite purchase of 2008 was finally getting hold of the original Mr Bunny. He was something i wanted from the moment i saw him, and while expensive, i can't see myself ever selling him, even if everything else goes! As for those released in 2008 - i love my Buff Monsters, i can't get enough of them, so i'm going to say them as a collective whole.


Credits: Cris Rose Portrait Photography by Owen Roseblade [flickr]
Owen is available for similar photoshoots in the UK as he does it professionally: email oroseblade [at] gmail.com