Seen: Beyond Ultraman

Beyond Ultraman, the first museum show focused on  vinyl toys as an art medium, opened last night (10.11.07) @ the Pasadena California Museum of Art.  The exhibition jointly organized by PMCA and the  Los Angeles Toy, Doll and Amusement Museum (LATDA) features the work of seven leading Californian artists in this relatively new genre -- Gary Baseman,  Tim Biskup, David Gonzales, David Horvath, Sun-Min Kim,  Brian McCarty, and Mark Nagata.

The show offers a retrospective look at the work of the seven artists with a sprinkling of new figures -- such as Sun-Min's Spider Boom minis and Mark Nagata's recently released Eyezon.  The behind-the-scenes exhibits featuring sketchbooks from Baseman and Biskup and a vinyl mold from Mark Nagata's collection make the exhibit relevant for experienced collectors as well as the general public which is the primary  intended audience.

It's great to see vinyl toys receiving recognition in a museum setting as a legitimate art form.  Beyond Ultraman and hopefully future similar shows will raise awareness outside of the industry and collector communities.  The show continues through January 6th, 2008 -- go check it out first hand.  There's something  very special about a museum full of vinyl toys. 

Pasadena Museum of California Art
490 East Union Street
Pasadena, CA 91101
626.568.3665

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