It’s been awhile since we’ve brought you a Proto Monday, but today’s installment was definitely worth the wait. Today, we’re bringing you the very first look at LA artist Mari Inukai’s Sekaiseifukudan series featuring seven figures, dropping shortly from promising newcomer Inner Sanctum. Many of these characters have appeared in Mari’s oil paintings which blend traditional Japanese imagery with adorable whimsy.
Sekaiseifukudan – which translates literally from Japanese as ‘world’ ‘conquer’ ‘team’, features seven characters who work together to conqueror the world through love. Each of the figures in the OG edition have a gleaming appearance stemming from their translucent hard plastic bodies and floating blue hearts – symbols of their search for complete fulfillment. Standing 6” tall on clear circular display bases, Mari’s figures are visually impressive, extremely well made, and give one the impression of luxurious art objects. For the toy geeks out there (us included), it’s definitely worth noting that the character’s hearts are suspended in each figure without any visible support of any kind. The use of a clear silicone to achieve this effect results in figures with solid heft.
Now let’s get to know all seven characters which are based in part on Mari’s belief in Taoism. Fans of Mari’s art will immediately recognize the pair of hat wearing little devils– Akamarilla and Aomarilla, angry (red) and sad (blue) manifestations of Marilla, Mari’s alter-ego, who wears a hat similar to the one she wore daily as a student at Calarts. Discriminating collectors will note that each of the devils’ tails point in opposite directions, a visual reminder of their collective duality. Hone Marilla is the wide-eyed ghostly form of the character. Inspired by Mari’s daughter, Sena, the cat-like Nekomitaina is Sekaiseifukudan’s team conscience both in her normal and ghost, Hone Nekomitaina, forms. Rounding out the team is the rabbit-like Usagiman, the god of spring, renewal and growth and Obakeman who gives freedom to all he meets by absorbing their negativity into his form.
Look for Sekaiseifukudan very shortly from Inner Sanctum, a company clearly focused on bringing artists’ creations to life as art toys.
SO COOOOOOL!!! MARI!! SO COOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!
Hehe…(T-T)
thank you Pen! one of my dream came true man!
i know you know that..
I can’t wait to have all of these!
These are truly toys inspired an artist.
Yes, they are to be treasured.
I love them! Congrats Mari!
I LOVE these! Is there a link to the Inner Sanctum site, or is it a store? Will they be available online?
Cat: Inner Sanctum’s website will be going up shortly, we’ll be sure to let you know when that happens.
Kent, Allen Brianne and Cat!
thank you for your comments.
I am glad you LOVE them..(^_^)
Besides online stores,
hopefully many stores will carry them, so you can see them in person!
yap! I will work on that!
and thank you Jack!
Fantastic, Mari! These are wonderful!
thank you David! (>_<)
Thanks for the great post, Jack. The pictures look amazing.
Wow, I can’t wait. Definitely lusting after the Hone Marilla figure. Any word on price or how many pieces will be made?
Paul, all of the figures are limited. The glow in the dark figures will be very limited, just 100 pieces of each. The price range is around $100.
AMAZING!! Can’t wait to get my hands on these 🙂
Are they sold as a set or individual? Blind boxes?
These are going to be sold individually.
There is a possibility of getting a full set.
you should contact me at: http://www.facebook.com/people/Rachel-Cheyenne-Stone/1415624555 I will give you more details.
At this point we are only discussing about a dozen full sets.
The subtle color gives them a candy like feel, great work
These are very inspiring!!!
OH!! I so want one!!! Especially the bunny!
The Inner Sanctum website is now online and ready to take orders on Sekaiseifukudan Figures!
http://innersanctumgallery.com/