May 20, 2007
Vinyl Elements: Tim Tsui
Tim Tsui, the Hong Kong-based creator of Da Team Bronx's formidable lineup of vinyl apes, created an inspired Munny x Da Minci custom for the recent Vinyl Elements show. This Da Minci rocks a gold suit emblazoned with the chinese symbol for 'metal'. The twist: Tim replaced Da Minci's standard luchador mask with a hand-painted Munny mask bearing his classic ape design. It's all in the family -- Munny is a monkey and Da Minci is an ape.
In addition to the recent release of the Da Minci figure, Tim Tsui is also featured in the recently released TV Heads Series 1 from Kaching Brands.
May 18, 2007
Seen: Vinyl Elements (5.17.07)
After all the planning and prep, Vinyl Elements went down last night (5.17) @ Barracuda on Melrose. Thanks to Jake (salvationarmory.com) for shooting these great pics. The response was really strong with a line outside before the doors opened. The amazing pieces looked great in Barracuda's space starting with the two sweet T-28's done by Cameron Tiede and tokidoki. Other fan favorites include Winson Ma's Fire Bike, Ultra Metal Goon by Ultraman (lots of staring and drooling), and Tim Tsui's sweet custom Da Minci with a Munny mask ;).
The crowd was steady throughout the night -- which was great to see. Thanks to everyone who came out and helped make VE a success. Several artists were seen in the crowd -- Amanda Visell, Buff Monster, Huck Gee, Luke Chueh, Ryan Crippen, Sket One, tokidoki and more. Also seen -- Paul Budnitz (KR), Jonathan Cathey (Super Rad Toys), Patrick Lam (Munky King), Ivan (tokidoki), Dov and other industry folks. The raffle for three black Possessed figures went down at 9:30 to a standing-room only crowd (top picture of this post). More on the winners, shortly.
The idea behind Vinyl Elements was to bring together top international talent to show off the very best in custom toy art. Thanks to all the unbelievably talented artists who stepped up to the challenge. Show piece gallery to come.
Cameron Tiede's Tribal-28 Rocks Vinyl Elements
Wow... What a night. Vinyl Elements opened this past Friday at Barracuda with a bang. Thanks to everyone who came out -- made our night to see such a great response. To our surprise, MINDstyle artist Cameron Tiede turned in not a Fourcube as expected, but his gorgeous Tribal-28, a custom 36" T-28!! As one of the clear standout pieces of the show, Tribal-28 was thefirst thing people saw as they stepped in the door. One of the fan favorites, people were talking about the 'sick' piece and kept asking Cameron just how long it took to complete ("too long"). Rather than taking Tetsujin at face value, Cameron transformed the entire figure with a two piece torch, leaf skirt, and pineapples (complete with fabricated wood stems) where rockets once lay. The amount of work that went into this piece is mind-boggling. Cameron always approaches each project looking to dazzle people with bigger and more elaborate designs. With Tribal-28 he went really BIG.
Cameron's customs continue to impress. In addition to Tribal-28, Cameron created a beautiful custom Darth Vader helment for the upcoming exhibtion as part of Star Wars Celebration IV. Cameron's also set to make his mark with production toys. Look for his first original designer toys, Cameron's 13 Friends, coming shortly from MINDstyle.
More Vinyl Elements coverage coming right up (after we recharge our batteries).
May 17, 2007
Black Possessed Giveaway @ Vinyl Elements
Vinyl Elements goes down tonight from 7 to 10 PM @ Barracuda. Come out for the awesome custom toys from over 40 amazing international artists. Also, we've upgraded the Possessed Promo announced yesterday. In the new and improved edition, we'll be holding a Possessed raffle at the show. Three winners will each be able to pick up their free black Possessed figure on Friday (5.18) beginning at 3 PM. Black Possessed is the limited variant (250 pcs) created by Luke Chueh and produced by Munky King. So come on down for Vinyl Elements tonight @ Barracuda from 7 to 10 PM, check out the art and maybe win a Black Possessed -- the hottest designer toy out there.
Barracuda
7600B Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA
323.852.7179
May 16, 2007
Vinyl Elements - Ultra Metal Goon
We're stoked to unveil another amazing Vinyl Elements custom. Feast your eyes on the Ultra Metal Goon created by Hong Kong based Ultraman. We stared at this one in awe for a long time. The open jaw of the Goon is a pleasant surprise, and it's executed very cleanly. Then, we get to the "remix" of the Goon body -- wow. Finally, the base ties in each of the five elements represented in the show. Come on out to Vinyl Elements tomorrow, Thursday May 17th from 7 to 10 PM at Barracuda to check out the Ultra Metal Goon and more stellar customs from some of the top names in the designer toy scene.
Vinyl Elements is made by possible by our generous sponsors: Mindstyle [36" T-28], Barracuda, Muttpop [El Panda], Jamungo [9" BUD, 9" Nade, Sqwert], Play Imaginative [10" Trexi], Kaching Brands [FLCL Canti and Fourcube], Kidrobot [Munny], Wonderwall [Goon & Knuckle Bear], and SURU [Suru Droid].
Barracuda
7600B Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA
323.852.7179
May 15, 2007
Vinyl Elements - Winson Ma's Fire Bike
Vinyl Elements opens this Thursday (5.17) from 7 to 10 PM @ Barracuda. For the past two weeks we've shown sneak peeks of several pieces from the show. Now, we're proud to reveal Winson Ma's "Fire Bike", his imaginative and stylish custom intrepretation of the FLCL Canti figure (Kaching Brands). This piece demonstrates the technical mastery and creativity which helped to make Brothersfree's 12" figures so desirable and sought after. Keep it locked to VP for a few more smokin' previews. To see this amazing piece in person and dozens more, come out for Vinyl Elements from 7 to 10 PM this Thursday @ Barracuda.
Barracuda
7600B Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA
323.852.7179
May 07, 2007
Vinyl Elements Preview II (5.17.07)
How time flies... We're about two weeks away from Vinyl Elements which goes down on May 17th @ Barracuda in LA. Incredible pieces are flowing in every day now -- going to pick up the mail has never been better! For this week's preview we have teaser shots of pieces by Jim Koch and Amanda Visell. To clear up some confusion, the customs will be available for sale at the event and soon afterwards online -- they will not be auctioned. For all inquiries about the show, please email [email protected]. If you're in SoCal (or just have lots of frequent flier miles), come out to Barrcuda on Thursday, the 17th from 7 to 10 PM for Vinyl Elements.
Barracuda
7600B Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA
323.852.7179
Apr 30, 2007
Vinyl Elements: Preview (5.17.07)
With slightly more than two weeks to go before Vinyl Elements opens on Thursday May 17th (one night only) from 7 to 10 PM at Barracuda, sweet pieces are arriving day after day here at Vinyl Pulse. While we're itching to post them all up online, we know you'll thank us for keeping most of them a surprise. We have two teasers for you today -- from Kathie Olivas and Doktor A. Come join us on May 17th @ Barracuda to see what 50+ top flight artists have created out of vinyl. More previews next week! Stay sharp -- a few others have escaped and are out on the 'net.
Please send any questions about Vinyl Elements to [email protected].
Barracuda
7600B Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA
323.852.7179