Jeremy Brautman from ToyCyte.com - Getting to Know Our New Guest Blogger
Again today we have an interview with one of our new guest bloggers. We are beyond stoked to start talking about a genre of toys that are becoming hotter by the minute: art toys. We can't think of anyone better to talk about these collectibles than Jeremy Brautman of ToyCyte.com. The following is our fun interview with Jeremy. Enjoy!
Traditional Toy Whimsy first question. What was your favorite toy as a child and why?
Smurfs. Each Smurf was essentially an archetype. What a perfect plaything for the formative experiences of a writer. I staged epic adventures with Smurfs on a green shag carpet. They were the first toys I collected, and I still have them all (give or take some paint chips).
Where are you from and are there any credentials you hold that you would like to share with us?
I was born in Brooklyn, NY and moved to the Bay Area ten years ago. I began collecting art toys in the early 2000s, and I spent most of 2008 as a “fulltime toy journalist.” This entailed interviewing artists, going to shows, chronicling the culture, pouring over all the books and DVD documentaries on the genre (Yes, they exist!) and buying way too many toys. I definitely have a touch of hypergraphia, so blogging came naturally as a vocation. My background is in instructional design, and I’m always up to “learn people something” about popular culture at large.
What was the first toy you bought as an adult?
My first designer toy was a Qee by Toy2R. That single Qee multiplied like Gremlins in water fairly quickly. But immediately before that, I was buying “sexy mutant” action figures. I have a trunk full of Resurrection of Monstress figures mint-on-card that are worth absolutely nothing!
Please explain the difference between “art toys” and “urban vinyl” because I sincerely do not know what the difference is and would love your help.
Art toys is an umbrella term, and urban vinyl is a sub-genre. Urban vinyl tends to come from artists with graffiti, street art and hip hop backgrounds. It brings a certain set of aesthetics and experiences to the toy realm. It’s kind of like how you have “alternative music” and then you drill down and get micro-genres like “nerdcore” and “freak folk.”
How big is your collection?
Moderate. Like most people, I’ve had to scale back to the necessities: food, water, vinyl, resin…
Do you have a favorite toy in your current collection?
It’s hard to pick a favorite, but I am partial to a piece Mike Slobot, made for me that is half Kidrobot Munny, half original Slobot and all kinds of awesome. And also a customized glow-in-the-dark "musical" T.W.E.R.P. Mad*L by Dustin Cantrell. Whenever someone makes me something, it is imbued with extra greatness; I love all my custom pieces.
As for production toys, I’ve got some Michael Lau figures and Qees I’d call classic favorites. A few of my top toy picks from the last year are: David Choe’s wooden Choegal, Mi2 Studios Buddha’s Delight, Jure Gavran’s Scapegoats, and Touma’s Pooty. I tend to go for stuff that makes me think or laugh (or both).
What is the ultimate toy that you would love to have in your possession?
I would love to own more pieces from the 1990s heyday of Hong Kong vinyl. Failing that, the upcoming Kaws 4-foot Dissected Companion would be swell. Giant toy vs. a couple months rent…hmmm…decisions decisions…
If someone wanted to get started collecting art toys, what would be your advice on where to start?
Buy what you like, and you’ll always be happy. Don’t get preoccupied with resale value or “what’s cool.”
A friend asked me the other day, “Are art toys the new Beanie Babies?” What are your thoughts on this?
Let me put it like this. Beanie Babies are like Miley Cyrus: manufactured to appeal to the widest possible audience after they’ve smoothed out all the edges that might offend buyers. They’re made in bulk and sold at chain stores.
Art toys are more like someone on an independent record label who toils to get her art out there and who also gets to shoot her mouth off without repercussions from TMZ because the niche is so small. Art toys are hard to find, and when most people hear the prices, jaws drop.
I would go so far as to say there is approximately zero overlap between Beanie Babies and art toys. However, if you’re asking whether art toys are becoming the latest craze, yeah, I am definitely seeing things going in that direction.
Tell us about the site you edit, ToyCyte.
ToyCyte covers the intersection of art and toys, but we try to do it by injecting a dose of journalism into the “peep this dope colorway, dog!” type of toy blogging. You’ll find references to current events, pop culture and geek trivia woven into our toy stories. I guess I’ve also developed an editorial reputation for asking tough questions and giving honest opinions, which has garnered us a following…and a few “frenemies.”
With ToyCyte, I like to spotlight new artists and also follow established designers beyond toys to their other endeavors. Emerging artists, the DIY movement, collaborations and the world “beyond toys” have become some of my biggest interests while writing and editing for ToyCyte. Don’t be surprised if you find me indulging in these further with some upcoming projects…
How did you get started blogging about toys?
True Craigslist success story! My girlfriend spotted the ad seeking a writer with designer toy experience, and I applied for it on a lark. I didn’t even send a resume; just a picture of my collection and a few ideas. And the rest, as they say, is history.
You did an awesome 5 part series on blind box toys that I loved. Should I feel bad that I still love the thrill of opening them?
Thanks! And no, you shouldn’t feel bad. Most fans got started collecting with blind boxes. These days, I enjoy watching other people open blind boxes. I prefer to buy from open box retailers or on the secondary market--or in a few select circumstances--an entire case of blind boxes. Two recent examples of stellar cases: Uglydoll Action Figures and Artoyz Elements Alpha Series. You get the ‘safety net’ of knowing you have the whole set, but you can still have that ‘thrill’ of individual surprise. Best of both worlds.
What do you think about mainstream toy makers getting into the art toy business? Good or horrible?
If a mainstream toy maker does it, it doesn’t really meet my definition of art toy. Hip clothing companies and corporations all want a designer toy now. Hasbro and Disney have their hands in the mix. I don’t know if it’s good or horrible, but it’s reality. To go back to the example of music: I’m old enough to remember alternative music. Nobody calls it that anymore of course because it’s like, “alternative to what?” Inevitably, the mainstream will dig in and the scene will evolve and mutate.
My 4 yr old daughter took her new Pizza Dunny to preschool today for show and tell, “That’s Cool!” or “That’s Criminal!”?
That’s cool! Look, I’m a fan of any hobby or activity that gets our fat little American children away from their videogame consoles. Kidrobot’s Munnys are great for kids and families.
Is there an up and coming artist out there that you think we are going to see great things out of in the next year?
Yes! With ToyCyte, I’ve been doing a series on up-and-coming artists called custoMONDAYs. Every other Monday, I profile an emerging artist with a bio, interview and contest. At the close of the contest, one of our readers wins an original or customized toy by the spotlighted artist, and it’s been a huge success. All of the artists in the project are destined for stardom: Eric Nocella of Argonaut Resins, Aaron Arel of Uh Oh Toys, OsirisOrion, Mike Slobot, Jason Freeny, MONSTREHERO, Leslie Levings, Gaël Brienne (aka Nanan1), Lana Crooks, Yosiell Lorenzo (aka Project Detonate), Dustin Cantrell, Owen DeWitt (aka Grimsheep), Phoebe Marie, Jessica Fortner, Jason Hilbourne (aka Bunk Bots), Lee “Leecifer” Gajda, Cris Rose and amybean. Please quote me on that “stardom” bit so this record exists when these artists are huge, and I can call them up and ask to borrow some cash.
If you twist my arm to namecheck one, I’ll call out two in particular who are super-prolific at customizing other peoples’ toys and also making their own awesome originals: Cris Rose and Lee “Leecifer” Gajda .
Are women and kids the next market for these collectibles?
Yes. According to statistics, over 50% of ToyCyte’s readers are female. Which is great. We’re slowly eroding that 40-Year Old Virgin stereotype. And let’s face it. Courtship can be tough when you’re a toy nerd. For every guy who has a giant collection of Buffy the Vampire Slayer action figures, there IS in fact a girl out there who won’t disapprove, and will, instead, say, “OMG. You have the San Diego Comic-Con Willow Rosenberg with menorah shirt!” I should start a matchmaking business. What was the question again? I just read on KAWS's blog the other day that he gives a lot of toys to a little boy who is his neighbor. Is that kid like the luckiest kid in the world? (and how sad is it that I know about KAWS because of CBS Sunday Morning…I am so OLD and LAME)
Yes, because even if that kid decides not to play with those toys or skateboards, his parents can put them on eBay and shore up his college education (or their retirement).
Being that I am a total newbie in your world of expertise, is there anything else that you want to share with us that I didn’t ask in my noob-ness?
These were great questions. I hope to share a slice of the scene with your readers. Artists are making toys in so many mediums (vinyl, resin, plastic, plush, wood, metal and ceramic) from all around the world. The US, UK and France all have dedicated scenes, with developing movements in The Netherlands, Poland and Russia. I’m getting more and more email from artists in Italy, Germany, Brazil, Argentina, Indonesia and beyond. It’s a really amazing time actually. Some people miss the art toy golden years of the late 90s, but I’m very much enjoying where we’re at currently. The best way to experience art toys is to go out there and see them. Chances are, if you live in or near a major city, you’ve got a designer toy store or group show happening soon. Go check it out. Heck, get yourself a blind box or two. That’s how it all begins.
--Jeremy Brautman with Laura McMullan
John"Spanky"Stokes on May 07, 2009 at 02:55 PM
This is a fantastic interview and Jer is an awesome dude! Thanks for sharing this article!
Brian Colin on May 07, 2009 at 03:16 PM
Great interview, I can't wait to see what guest spots he does on the site.
Mae Hengl on May 07, 2009 at 06:09 PM
Thanks for this great interview! Could you please tell me what is the line of figures (with all that great food!) shown in the picture just below the question "Is there an up and coming artist out there that you think we are going to see great things out of in the next year?" Thanks!
amybean on May 07, 2009 at 07:16 PM
Jeremy you rockkkkk!!!!!
Laura McMullan on May 07, 2009 at 08:27 PM
So the toys with all food are Heroes of Burgertown by John Burgerman.
http://www.kidrobot.com/products2.cfm/ID/6892/name/heroes-of-burgertown-mini-figures
I have the lizard/snake looking one and it is awesome :)
Jeremy is somewhat of a Burgerman expert having written Doodlesplatter, the blogography of John Burgerman.
I made Jeremy PROMISE that one of his posts that will appear soon on ToyWhimsy will be all about Burgerman. SWEET!
So keep reading! That's an order!
Laura McMullan on May 07, 2009 at 08:28 PM
http://www.doodlesplatter.com/
Sorry, I forgot the Doodlesplatter address!
Kylo76 on May 11, 2009 at 10:27 AM
Great interview! Jeremy is a great guy and writer even with his insane Burgerman fetish. Can't wait to read more posts.
Benny on May 12, 2009 at 01:31 PM
Jeremy, you rock! The interviews you give are as interesting as the ones you conduct on ToyCyte... LOL can't believe you're on AMAZON! The world is growing very very small...
Jeremy Brautman on May 13, 2009 at 03:01 PM
Hey, thanks for the warm welcome! Memo to Mae: Yep, those are Jon Burgerman's Heroes of Burgertown mini-figures, and I paired them with Mini Sweets by RE-MENT. Stay tuned for more...
freelance writers on August 12, 2011 at 04:15 AM
I'm sorry, but I don't like these toys. They are too... Japanese, I don't know...