About The Inaugural TOY ART PHILIPPINES 2018
The past weekend saw the inaugural Toy Art Philippines happen at the Ronac ART Center, specifically at the Six Inch Gallery, whereby folks were treated to collectible toys and as well a face-to-face with artists (also familiar to this blog) Quiccs, Carlo Cacho (AKA Wetworks), Rotobox Vinyl Anatomica, and more!
Featured here are a few select snaps of the event, and a few folks who were gracious and generous enough to share their impressions and experiences with TOYSREVIL!
Carlo Andrada Cacho AKA @iamwetworks shared that they "only had a week to promote the show...", and especially since this was a first time for such an event, and was considered "quite a success". Carlo had showcased a new and "original" color way of Clogtwo's "Shinigami" vinyl, AND on display was a Akira anime-inspired FOXY, that will be the next production release! Stay tuned for updates for BOTH figure releases!
"...It was the 1st toyart ph gathering, and the group is planning to make it an annual event. You can buy or trade with new releases, rare, old vinyl designer figures during the event. We are also hoping to make the event bigger and bigger in the coming years." - shared Stephen Ong of Rotobox Vinyl Anatomica ... "Compared to years ago, people do have an idea what designer toys are right now which is a good thing. Looking back a decade ago they thought these figures are just toys, some even called them piggy banks haha (I can't forget that person lol). It was a small event but I think it was a success since a lot of purchases and swapping of figures occurred."
"...the event was a mix of all Collectible toys, it's not just "an exclusive designer toy"-event. You can also do commissions from the artists for designer toys, sculpts, even lego Builds." - added Stephen Ong.
(An open forum talk featuring Quiccs, Carlo Cacho of Wetworks and Lu Sim of Messymaru)
"It was personally very special for me. I've known most of these artists personally for many years. It's so fulfilling to have watched them grow from being enthusiast, collectors, customizers into full in designers and creators!
Was pretty surprised I was able to pull in rotoboxvinyl brothers and Lu Sim into the mix. Rotobox made the Kanaeda mech for me as a gift from my wife." shared Alger B C Lim (AKA "The Missing Link" :p), who also said; "Oh and it was fascinating being able to witness the creation process of the event ring. That was definitely something new ..."
"On a side note I was not able to steal this Kanaeda away from Carlo Cacho ... ugh" - added Alger B C Lim, "(and I) look forward to crazy collaborations from those who participated in the future - I heard a lot of crazy talk during the event!"
I've heard folks call this a "small event", and that is exactly why I love the concept so - whereby an "intimate", dedicated event for TOYS, featuring hobbyists and artists, from the community and for the community - which sets it apart from the massive mass conventions (which as well includes media, cosplay etc, has its own merits, of course) with its focus on "commerciality". As much as we are offered "variety", it is after all about selling "booth space" in the first place (*Yes, I am not naive that this is a "business" first and foremost lol). I know I am biased when I appreciate an event with a focus, IMHO. The additional "trading" aspect of the event, made it a more conducive notion of "community", than just Sell-Sell-SELL and Buy-Buy-BUY (I would not know how effective it had been though...). And finding out that this event had been an artists' led endeavour (Kudos to Carlo and Quiccs), makes it even mores schweet and worthy of savouring, IMHO.
Cheers
Andy TOYSREVIL
(Images featured here via Quiccs / Rotobox's Stephen Ong / Niel Marcelino / Toy Art Philippines)
