呼呼福福，虎虎迎新 | ART TOYS FOR THE YEAR OF TIGER

不倒翁-梦想：虎 系列 2022

Tumbler: The Tiger in the Dream Series 2022

Gao Xiaowu created the series of works titled Tumbler: in the Dream, with the aim to create one different version every Chinese New Year. The works are based on large scale kinetic installations and small-scale sculptures in the shape of zodiac animal symbols. The external appearance of the artwork, while reflecting the combination between City Dream and Twelve Causes, represents chubby and innocent-looking figures with animal heads. What fascinates people even more is that the artist skilfully combines the Chinese traditional iconography and the cultural connotations of the tumbler toy with the Chinese zodiac system: through an accurate calculation of the gravity at the bottom structure and of the power support, the zodiac animal sways and moves without falling.

The earlier record of tumbler toy can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty’s book by Wang Dingbao titled Tang Zhi Yan. This egg-shaped toy is light on the top and heavy at the bottom, therefore, when it swings, it can go back to its upright posture. There is a saying from Ming Dynasty: “If a tumbler toy gets smashed into pieces, then we realise that it is well-mixed but there is nothing inside”. The legend of the Roly-Poly toy connects the wisdom of the ancients with the skilful flexibility: its low centre of gravity bestows it with tolerance and patience; its hollowness gives it modesty. The artist's Tumbler: The Tiger in the Dream is a motto-style creation which reflects the quotes from The Analects of Confucius: once he heard of a sort of vessel which would tilt if empty, would be straight if half filled with water and would overturn when fully filled with water. It symbolizes the impartial and moderate behavior. Moving left and right and alternating static posture and movement, the installation and sculpture created by the artist incorporate the sincere and pure moral quality of traditional culture, while creating a motto for the new era.

Koorabbee means "Cool Rabbit". The artist Sophie Zhao presents hand- painted rabbit figures with long ears and with different personalities. The newly created Tiger Bunny is characterized by a heart-shaped tail and by a tiger pattern. The New Year’s red Koorabbee with winter clothes and a jelly-like transparent acrylic green base will bring a nice atmosphere to the New Year.

花花世界(左)  Open Your Eyes(右)

玻璃钢，22 × 10 × 8.5 cm，2022

Dazzled World(Left), Open Your Eyes(Right)

fiberglass, 22 × 10 × 8.5 cm, 2022

"Humans see colours through light and shadow: visual signals are transmitted to the brain, and they shape the world we perceive”. The artist DISCOVERER believes that what we see is determined by our inherent biological setting. In the SpongeBob series, DISCOVERER uses acrylic paint to draw dynamic and colourful lines on the canvas. Having a certain familiarity with symbols of pop culture, the viewers, looking at the colorful lines, can distinguish the profiles of the characters of SpongeBob and Patrick Star, whose figures are playful, misleading and though- provoking.

The artist Yang Yuanyuan uses the image of a cute lamb to describe feelings from her childhood and to explore the true self. Her work encompasses also elements related to the artist’s direct experience of social life, representing for the viewers a mirror to reflect reality. The lamb is not only an artistic icon, but also a symbol of the artist's true emotions.

Cool Cool Lamb discloses the secrets hidden in the artist’s mind, including her childhood experiences and all the hardships of adult life. Both adults and children can find inspiration and resonance and they can experience the touching beauty of this work of art.

There was a capsule-shaped blue planet in the universe called PILLS Star. On the planet lived a group of peace-loving inhabitants: PILLS. Each of them possessed an extraordinary ability: the ability to heal wounds. They used the power of healing to evoke courage, hope and love in people. With the company of PILLS, people will regain their happiness. May the world be full of love and peace and may people's hearts be filled with light and hope. This is the belief that PILLS will always adhere to. PILLS will fill your heart with warmth, love, and courage!

The PILLS series is made of alloy: their feet are also casted of solid alloy. The material refers to the concept of eternity, which reflects the concept of Mars Pop Studio, the team who creates the toys. The pursuit of perfection is a pillar element of Mars Pop Studio’s philosophy.

The artist Qin Weihong, through a unique sculptural language, creates surreal and fictional characters which seem belong to a fairy-tale like dimension. His works embody the relationship between tender, fragile, and vulnerable animals, and people in different states, representing the missing sadness in the well-known fairy tales.