Introducing The “Sunny&Cloudy Weather Shop” by LO-FI Collective
South Korean artist/designer LOFI Collective (of TOWOOZ) whom debuted her latest character “SKOLL” at the recent Taipei Toy Festival 2016, from her new brand “Sunny&Cloudy Weather Shop”, and I had to have a online chat with Eunbyeol Choi herself, to get to know her creations a little more!
Scroll down for a read and snaps, and as well folks can stay connected to her work via Instagram @lofi_collective / Facebook and Instagram @sunnyandcloudyweathershop … not forgetting CLICK HERE for continued coverage of “LOFI Collective” on TOYSREVIL!
TOYSREVIL: What can you tell me about the “Sunny&Cloudy Weather Shop”? What is it about?
EUNBYEOL CHOI: ”In mythology or folk tales, there are many animals that are related to the weather or represent deities that control the weather.
The "Sunny & Cloudy Weather Shop" series takes imagery from Celtic mythology, fables, and animals as the motif and creates characters out of elements related to weather such as rain, temperature, humidity, and lightning.
In addition to Skoll, more diverse characters related to the weather have been planned for release, to complete a story that shows the changes in weather throughout a day. This is why it was named the "Sunny & Cloudy Weather Shop."
TOYSREVIL: I really appreciate the context of her genesis, as it provides the character with depth beyond just an aesthetic-facade, IMHO :)
What can you tell me about Skoll? WHO is she? And is the darker color edition also “Skoll”? Or another character? Why do they wear wolf heads? And is that a thunderbolt in her hands? What’s her story? Sorry for so many questions at a go, as I’m very interested in her design! haha
EUNBYEOL CHOI: "The first character of the series, Skoll, is a wolf girl who chases the sun and causes lightning.
The motif for this was taken from the sun-chasing wolf Skoll from Celtic mythology and Raijuu, a beast in oriental mythology believed to have caused lightning.
The cloud-shaped head and costume were designed to show the state of the clear or cloudy sky through different colors. The way Skoll feels can affect the weather.
If the wolf above the head wakes up, the sun disappears and the clothing and hair representing the sky turns dark. Lightning strikes and rain may also ensue.
Conversely, when the wolf is asleep, a cloudless sunny sky will be created."
(Display Set-up at TF2016 / Images by AJO777)
TOYSREVIL: LOVE her backstory! Thanks for sharing with us! And as well they certainly are a different aesthetic from your Karma Series - is there any particular reason why? And what inspired her creation?
EUNBYEOL CHOI: "When I work, I usually draw inspiration from music. The "Karma Series" was inspired by the lyrics and ambience of songs like Radiohead's "Karma Police," and "Across the Universe" by the Beatles.
The motif for this Weather Shop series was taken from the song "Why Does it Always Rain on Me" by Travis. The metaphor of rainy weather to represent unhappiness inspired me to create this series.
As we often express how we feel in terms of how we would also describe a sunny or a cloudy weather, I wanted to create a story in which the characters' state actually affects the weather. As sweet and beautiful as the music of Travis.
I think the expressive style changed as the subject of the toy series is completely different."
EUNBYEOL CHOI: ”Many were surprised by the sudden change in style.
As each series tells a different story, I separated my pages and Instagram accounts to isolate the ambiance of each series from each other. However, as they are both my creation(s), I suppose they share a certain sentimentality to a degree.
It has been two to three years since I began the Karma Series, while the Weather Shop is about to begin after nearly a year of preparations including planning, design, molding, and production.
I plan to continue producing both series, and reveal the story for the toys bit by bit. (I am also working on another surprise series in addition to these two. haha)
Rather than focusing on why the series are different, I hope people can follow the story in each series with interest.
I have committed my soul and spirit to create both Karma Series and Weather Shop Series. I will continue to give it my best and would certainly appreciate the continued support and interest. “
(*Release is schedule in November!)
TOYSREVIL: Well I for one am certainly appreciative of your artistic evolution, and as well your choice of presenting differing facets of your style and design is highly applauded, as I personally feel that one needs to be multifaceted, especially in this sea of creation we all dwell in these days, where most times an artist(s) might just stick to one style, and remain so for the duration, IMHO.
Thanks for sharing with us, and look forward to be seeing MORE from you in the near future!
