Background
1000 Teddies is an art installation from Philipp Jordan. The show consists of 1,000 canvases of various sizes...all featuring Teddies. Imagine a room with 2,000 teddy bear eyes staring directly at you.
Crazy Label teamed up with Philipp to turn one of his ursine characters into a vinyl toy. While the Teddies from the exhibition come in all shapes, sizes and colors, they chose a design that's an amalgam (well...it's probably on a few of those canvases). What you get is the aptly named 1000 Teddies vinyl.
The Facts
1000 Teddies
Manufacturer: Crazy Label
Artist: Philipp Jordan
Material: Rotocast Vinyl
Dimensions: 8” tall
Points of Articulation: One (Neck)
Edition Size: 400 pieces
Pricing: $69.95
Packaging
The packaging features an illustrated version of the chosen Teddie design on the front. On the rear of the box, you get a glimpse of some of those 1000 Teddies. Inside, the vinyl is held in place by a pair of snapping plastic trays. There's an additional tray that holds a postcard that describes the 1000 Teddies show.
Our Opinion
I'm guessing that with 1000 Teddies to choose from, it might have been difficult for Philipp Jordan and Crazy Label to select the one representative that would be turned into a toy. Not only which head shape, but what color was also important. I like that they went the safe route and chose one of Philipp's more traditional Teddies.
Similar to Erick Scarecrow's Wet-Suit Maria, the 1000 Teddies vinyl went for a non-traditional, leaning sculpt. The figure's hands and arms are stretched behind his back, while its body leans slightly to his right. There's one point of articulation – at the neck.
If you take a closer look at the 1000 Teddies' sculpt, he's not smooth. It appears that gauze (or something with that checkered pattern - burlap?) was applied to the final sculpt before getting molded. That texture gives it an almost plush like look. But the texturized body is somewhat offset by the smooth sculpt and glossy paint of the eyes and nose.
While there aren't many paint ops, the work that's there is well done. The mouth looks great – very simple, but it looks like an extension of the nose. And the shading around the eyes and ears, while it might go unnoticed, gives the Teddy a forlorn look.
In a marketplace that has been lacking big vinyl toys, Crazy Label has produced a quality piece. With the popularity of teddy bears amongst toy collectors, I'm guessing that 400 pieces (why not 1000 Teddies) might go quickly. However, at a little less than $70 each, I'm guessing the 1000 Teddies vinyl will be for serious collectors.
For wholesale inquiries, contact DKE Toys.
You can pick one up at the following:
Crazy Label: $69.95
