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Kawaii cuteness and “Bronies” in a month-long LA exhibition

The magical world of My Little Pony (MLP) brings delight to everyone from school-age girls to grown men (we’re looking at you, “Bronies”). This weekend the My Little Pony Project 2012 will debut at LA’s Toy Art Gallery with customized 18″ ponies, jewelry by Onch Movement and a month-long celebration of the super cute kawaii world of MLP with an art show, mural project, screenings and events.

My Little Pony was created by illustrator Bonnie Zackerle in 1983 as the smaller version of Hasbro’s original 1981 My Pretty Pony design. Little girls immediately fell in love with these small, colorful plastic ponies featuring silky hair and whimsical designs on their hind legs and hoofs. The original set of MLP characters sported names like Cotton Candy, Clue Belle, Butterscotch, Minty, Snuzzle and Blossom. As the popularity of the toys grew, so did the My Little Pony world. In 1984, their first prime-time special “Rescue at Midnight Castle” led to more specials, a TV series and a feature-length film aptly named ” My Little Pony: The Movie”.

Hasbro celebrated the 10th anniversary of their favorite equines by debuting Sweet Kisses, Colorswirl, Sippin’ Soda, Wedding Pony, Flower Fantasy and more. Now, nearly 30 years later, the brand is still going strong thanks to an alternative scene that continues to worship the pastel ponies. Customized toys have sprung up around the globe, transforming MLP into everything from horror film icons to Star Wars characters. Even fetish imagery was branded on the plastic ponies. My Little Pony is a major force in pop culture, spawning trans-generational obsession evidenced in the endless stream of MLP tattoos.

For more proof of MLP domination, a search for My Little Pony on Etsy yields over 4,000 results and Deviant Art boasts hundreds of thousands of MLP-inspired artworks. Many a Brony—the brilliant mash-up of “brother” and “pony”—could be found at the recent “My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic” show, saying they’re attracted to the pony’s colorful imagery and positive messages.

The My Little Pony Project 2012 kicks off its exhibition in LA with a series of events presented by Hasbro, We Love Fine, LA-based design firm Mighty Fine and Street Sweets. The show features one-of-a-kind customized ponies by 6%DOKIDOKI, 64 Colors, Ana Bagayan, Angry Woebots, Blamo (Mikie Graham), Lisa Alisa, Luke Chueh, Madoka Kinoshita, Martin Hsu, Perez Hilton, Spank!, TOUMA and more. Ten percent of the sales will benefit Give Kids the World, an organization that gives children with life-threatening illnesses the opportunity to take a vacation to a fantasy-filled resort with their families.

Coinciding with the show, Onch Movement—the pop culture icon and jeweler who creates Nicki Minaj’s over-the-top treats—will launch an MLP line alongside his existing collection of colorful novelties. Onch created these new pieces for the Bronies and Pegasisters (the term for women who love MLP). As Onch enthusiastically proclaims, “We are trying to take the pony to another level!”

The show opens 5 May 2012 and will be on view at Toy Art Gallery until 26 May with events for fans to meet special guests from The Hub TV’s “Friendship is Magic“, a family day with crafts and face painting and cupcakes, and a screening nearby at the Silent Movie Theater (where at least a few Brony’s are sure to show up). Also beginning the week of 5 May, Buff Monster, COPE2, Indie184, and other artists will be busy painting MLP-inspired murals at Joyrich and De La Barracuda near Toy Art Gallery on Melrose.

The original 18″ ponies will be available in the Toy Art Gallery online shop.

Toy Art Gallery

7571 Melrose Avenue

Los Angeles, CA 90046

Kid-commissioned customized toys

Be it a bunny or a bear, there’s often at least one special toy that a child clings to for security, without which their world—and their parents’—might swiftly crumble. Creative mom Wendy Tsao sets out to strengthen that relationship with Child’s Own Studio, which she founded to make custom stuffed plushie toys based on kids’ drawings. “When my son started kindergarten, his school asked for a comfort toy to put in his emergency preparation kit. Instead of sending in one of his favorite stuffed toys or running to the store to buy something, I decided to sew one myself” she explains. “I was thinking of making his favorite animal, but then I saw his self-portrait. He drew it all the time, and it always—more or less—looked the same, with huge eye circles, stick arms and ten long wispy digits. So, I thought, ‘why not?’ And when I was finished, my son immediately recognized it and was very appreciative.”

Tsao realized the potential for child-commissioned toys, and five years later she continues to build whimsical creatures for both children and parents of children who have passed away, like the red Ferrari softie conceived by a boy in the U.K. who passed away, for his brother who missed him. From a stick figure morphed into a peculiar, stringy-legged fellow to a remarkably detailed pizza chef complete with a handful of vegetable toppings, Tsao’s plushies bear a strong resemblance to the 2D masterpieces that inspire them that’s sure to make kids feel both pride and delight at first sight.

Although the name of her company appears to limit commissions, Tsao accepts the occasional adult request, but with caution. “They have to look child-like, not designed nor computer-generated,” says Tsao. “I find accomplished drawings the least inspiring for me. There is no room for my creative input or possibilities of interpretation, which is what I find most rewarding in the whole process.” Tsao says the reception to her craft has been overwhelmingly positive, but admits that sometimes she has to decline requests, “I often turn away orders—usually from adult designers—if I think it’s beyond my skill or patience level.”

While each design is different, most toys take Tsao one to two days to complete. In addition to the one-of-a-kind aesthetic, her creations stand out for their range of vibrant materials that help to bring a child’s drawing to life.

As Tsao makes her way down the waiting list of monsters, farm animals, princesses and heroes, she has let her own imagination start to wander. “I started embellishing my softie projects on my blog with little stories—maybe it’s my interest in stop-motion movies creeping in,” she says. “This is a new direction that I might pursue further if I have enough time.”

Due to volume Child’s Own is currently not taking additional commissions for the wait list, but Tsao recommends similar services in her “Softmaker Showcase” on the website.

Un classico. Le trovate qui.

Brian McCarty est un photographe et réalisateur né à Memphis. Jouant à prendre des clichés de jouets depuis plus de 15 ans, il nous livre ici une série d’images à la fois réussis et drôles. Un rendu de qualité à découvrir dans une série dans la suite.

Previously on Fubiz

• Kevin Twomey Photography
• Fubiz Awards – Winners
• Fubiz Awards – Interviews

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