michael lau

LauLau by Tak available @ Artoyz.

Michael Rouah from Artoyz has recently returned from a trip in Hong kong with a few vinyl rarities in his suitcase. Among them some hard-to-find be@rbrick sets, a rare early Michael Lau figure dating back from 2001 called “Lamdog Prototype Kiss”, “Spookiez” (Comix Box, 2006) a strange set including a girl and a dog, the Kaws x Bounty Hunter Kun Red Christmas version, etc.

A lot more followed by plane, including quite a lot of Blythe dolls - unfortunately they are mostly “Petites” - but thay have the Neo Blythe Mod Molly (December 2007, SBL) + Welcome Winter (January 2008, RBL). They are a bit expensive comparing to eBay, but since it is definitely hard to get Blythe in France - or in Europe for that matter although CWC and Takara are working on this - it’s great to have them here.

You will find all of this listed in the News or the Asian Designers sections of the shop.

I must say I particularly like this funny Monkey figure called LauLau designed by Tak and released by How2Work in June 2007.

Michael Lau x Prodip “After Dark Project” - Pascagoula Alien in Yellow

I am not sure yellow toys are even sought after by collectors - some people collect black or GID toys for instance - but they are favorites of mine. This Pascagoula by Michael Lau has been on my wishlist ever since it was released about a year ago and since it still is a winter of financial discontent for me, this will be just for the fun of it…

400% & 100% Be@rbrick set Genevieve Gauckler

Shikito in Yellow by Superdeux

Rolitoboy - Gloomy Pity Boy by Mori Chack x Rolito

Onion Love Invader by Jaime Hayon

Astronaut Jesus by Doma

+ Ecstasy of Gold by krysto_O on Flickr.

Kaws Dissected Companion on Artoyz’ Flickr.

When you think about it, it’s kind of strange they did not have a Flickr account before, especially since they always take their own pictures of the toys they are selling online - and pretty good pictures too ! In fact, I had never realized until now that they might well be the only art toys shop using their own photos rather than stock company pictures. But the thing is they are extremely busy guys - not to mention that most of the time they seem to be working amidst high piles of cardboard boxes (*see evidence below), this obviously not helping to get a clear view of things - and sometimes in order to get ahead you just need some new blood. For instance, get an enthousiastic hardworking young trainee in graphic design named Stéphane, and there you are ! In no time you have a Flickr account (where your great photos of toys can now be seen by more than just the small crowd of toy addicts even long after a toy is sold out) + a new blog (where your fine and fun writing can now get a chance to be read).

As I understand, they will use the Flickr to post pictures of toys they will not post anywhere else. Plus it will be an opportunity to actually see for more than 2 minutes those toys that regularly create upon their release within the (very) tiny toy community such fits of fever that would be totally incomprehensible to any casual observer. I’m referring here to the Kaws and Co, those that get “sold out” the very minute they are online, and if your web server doesn’t crash then you are very lucky !

As for the blog (French version only), there was a magazine section on Artoyz - the articles have now all been moved to the new blog - but since Flash is not ideal for reading anything most people (including myself) had forgotten it even existed, which was a shame really for Bonfil, who writes most of the articles, has a very nice way with words.

* Exhibit 1 - Exhibit 2
Also see the shop review of Artoyz on guillotine.

Artoyz Paris 45 rue de l’arbre Sec 75001 PARIS
Artoyz Lyon 18 rue des capucins 69001 LYON