With an opening with little or no equals – Disney’s Bloc28 Mickey in Hong Kong’s Time Square has raised the standard for top-flight art toy exhibitions and releases. Drawing a large crowd of onlookers, collectors and media, the opening’s festivities featured guest artist David Flores as well as appearances by popular Asian models, celebrities, b-boy crew and more. The welcome presentation concluded with an elaborate ribbon cutting ceremony capped off with a confetti drop. Far and beyond typical expectations for a toy release/exhibition.
The event marking the introduction of Disney’s Bloc28 project in Asia, featured the release of the first Season 2 vinyl figures from MINDstyle — Tenga’s thumbs-up, high-flying Mickey and Suiko’s melting interpretation of the most famous mouse of all. The figures translate the Japanese artists’ takes on Mickey to 3D with figures that expand the possibilities of the medium.
The exhibition does an excellent job of capturing the energy and spirit of the first two seasons of the Bloc28 project by highlighting new visions of Mickey Mouse from the Project Artists. At the heart of the project are the artists’ interpretations of Mickey beginning with the original artwork on display that is the basis for the product line which features all manner of apparel and accessories as well many other items including notebooks, mouse pads and more.
In conjunction with the celebration of both Mickey’s legacy and his future, 3Mix presented Mickey Brand Halo custom show featuring 50 artist customs of a special DIY figure. The well-designed display system really shows off the customs to full effect by providing easy viewing from both sides of transparent walls of ‘cages’. One of the nicest display arrangements we’ve seen so far.
The Bloc28 Mickey exhibition also serves as a charitable effort to benefit the ‘Art in Hospital’ program through the auction of the Mickey customs as well as the sparkly Swarovski covered David Flores Mickey VCDs. Additionally, Times Square and 3Mix created an exclusive limited-edition Mickey vinyl to encourage visitors to support the local economy and to donate to the charity.
We came away impressed with the event and hoping to see similar high-profile toy events in the USA. Wishful thinking perhaps, but it would certainly help to increase awareness for the exciting medium we all love.
