There is not a toddler in America, in all probability the broader world, that does not have an expertise with a Mattel toy. Sizzling Wheels, Barbie, Masters of the Universe, American Lady, Matchbox automobiles… I imply, UNO is a Mattel card recreation. Mattel and the visible identities they’ve created are weaved into the material of childhood and infrequently maturity. As we delve deeper into the universe of Mattel, we see an organization that’s keenly conscious of its place within the shifting panorama of tradition and artwork. By harnessing the ability of nostalgia whereas embracing daring, new designs, Mattel has carved out a outstanding area of interest inside the artwork world and the hearts of collectors. On this approach, what started as easy toys has remodeled into highly effective cultural artifacts—inviting us all to interact with the play of each childhood and maturity.
Which is what makes the present, Toys As Artwork, Artwork Impressed By Toys: Mattel’s eightieth Anniversary Group Exhibition, Corey Helford Gallery’s alliance with Mattel Creations, Mattel, Inc.’s, a particular train of seeing how collaboration and collaborative thought can join. Artists, particularly those we’ve coated through the years, are sometimes influenced by the broader common tradition round them, whether or not it’s a direct affect or one thing evocative that leads to the high-quality artwork follow. What the present will current is the “legendary toy firm’s year-long eightieth anniversary celebration, a particular occasion that can function new and unique, one-of-a-kind art work, impressed by Mattel’s iconic manufacturers, from over 80 visionary artists across the globe.”
The likes of Mark Ryden, Paul Frank, Brandi Milne, DABSMYLA, Gary Baseman, D*Face, Nettie Wakefield, Soey Milk and others have taken on and remodeled the likenesses of Mattel’s iconic manufacturers (together with Barbie®, Sizzling Wheels®, Fisher-Worth®, American Lady®, Thomas & Mates™, UNO®, Masters of the Universe®, Matchbox®, Monster Excessive®, MEGA®, Polly Pocket®) in what will probably be each a well-recognized aesthetic and utterly unique showcase.
In the long run, Mattel is greater than only a toy firm; it’s a bastion of creativity, pushing the boundaries of what toys can imply and the way they will encourage the following era of artists, designers, and dreamers. For {a magazine} like ourselves that’s born from Pop, this present is significant to our story as properly. —Evan Pricco