Some beautiful, behind-the-scenes photos of Monsters & Misfits II to enjoy with your coffee on this fine Sunday morning. Special thanks to Shinji & Eno of Tomenosuke-syoten for the solid coverage and the Kusakabe staff for their unparalleled attention to detail.
The exhibition is on display until April 26th. Artworks can be viewed here — we’re only a few pieces away from a sold-out show!
We continue our Japan video coverage with beautiful footage from the opening reception of Monsters & Misfits II, along with other festivities that took place yesterday.
Chris Ryniak managed to find a hotspot this afternoon and gave us all a quick update via the Circus Posterus forum:
This whole experience has been so surreal and unlike anything I’ve ever done before. They have been so generous and gracious to us over here…treating us like royalty and making us all feel very special about what it is that we do.
All of yesterday was amazing and unreal… We had a sit down conference with the vice mayor of Takayama(who also gave a speech at our opening last night). They prepared a traditional tea ceremony for us…which I am sure I messed up somehow and shamed someone’s ancestors.
We still have so much to see and do. And EAT….
Omg guys…the food! Omg.
Thank you all for your wonderful support!
Kanpai!
Definitely sounds like the experience of a lifetime. The gang is in Japan for a few more days, so there’s bound to much more coverage to come; stick around!
The artists have landed. The exhibition is hung. It’s now time to soak it all in. And while most of us will only be attending the opening reception of Monsters & Misfits II in spirit, Shinji has whipped together a video of the adventure thus far: from the airport, to driving through the winding roads of Hirayu and Takayama, right up to the Kusakabe Folk Museum, where the show is being set up. Have a watch; it’s magical.
Monsters & Misfits II opens tonight in Japan at the Kusakabe Folk Museum in Takayama
Circus Posterus’ catalog for this year’s Monsters & Misfits exhibition is hot off the press and Shinji over at Tomenosuke-syoten has granted us a sneak peek at some of the pages. Showcasing selected works from each of the exhibiting artists, the 48-page, full-color catalog will be available for purchase on opening night and will likely be part of the online sale, as well. To the collectors outside of Asia who are looking to take home a piece of this exhibition, the online sale will be taking place at midnight on April 14th, which I believe will be Saturday morning/afternoon for many of us. To be safe, keep checking the Monsters & Misfits II banner near the bottom of the Tomenosuke homepage (right now it should say ‘coming soon’ when you click on it). If this sale is being handled similar to last year, the preview page will be up before it goes live to give collectors a chance to look at everything (preview instructions are usually included on this page, as well). Good luck to all the collectors and best wishes to Brandt, Kathie, Chris and Amanda as they attend their first Japanese reception!
The week of Monsters & Misfits II is finally upon us, and while Kathie, Brandt, Chris and Amanda drive each other crazy on a plane for the next 12 hours, we get to enjoy some sweet final teasers for the event before the big opening on the 13th. From Chris Ryniak’s monster studio comes Berry Triggle, a custom Bubblegut, and Great Gruggle: The Candied Overlord, which I believe is an original sculpt (who stands an impressive 18 inches).
Stay tuned as we drop more teasers to celebrate the opening of this special CP exhibition! Best wishes and congratulations to the artists as they travel to Takayama to meet their monsters and all of the Japanese collectors! It’s been a long time coming!
First came Brandt’s Stingy Jack figure (here), followed by Kathie’s Jackalope (front and centre here). And now, brand spankin’ new from Chris Ryniak is Stinky Ginger — the latest addition to Circus Posterus’ new line of sofubi vinyl figures. Look familiar? Indeed, this is the same nasty lookin’ fella that’s featured in Chris’ screen print from the Japan fundraiser sale. The master sculpt was literally just completed, so it’ll be some time before we see a release. Updates to come!
We’ve just received a fresh batch ‘o snaps from Shinji at Tomenosuke showing off a murder of monsters that just touched down in Japan! Fresh air must be nice after being a bubblewrap and cardboard sandwich for so long — they look exasperated. Best they catch up on some sleep now: it’s showtime in two weeks!
Monsters & Misfits II is a Circus Posterus group exhibition featuring new works from Chris Ryniak, Doktor A., Kathie Olivas, Brandt Peters and Amanda Louise Spayd. Hosted by Tomenosuke-syoten and the Kusakabe Folk Museum, the exhibition is on display April 13th through April 26th.
As part of the Japan sale comes the release of Circus Posterus’ first-ever mini resin set featuring familiar favourites: Kathie and Brandt’s Mini Masao Skelve (w/ ‘Boo’ style mask) and Chris Ryniak’s Bubblegut and Crumbeater. Dimensionally speaking, the Mini Skelve appears unchanged, but the usually 6-inch Bubblegut has shrunk a few inches (Minigut?), as has the Crumbeater. A Mini Skelve is 4.25 inches tall, to give you an idea of scale.
As mentioned, these will be available for CP’s Japan fundraiser for $135 + shipping. They’re an edition of 66 pieces and will only be available as a set (take heed!). The sale is slated for either April 2nd or April 3rd — I’ll lean on the horn as soon as KO&BP cement a date.
Chris Ryniak continues with the Monsters & Misfits teasers with snaps of some choice pieces here. Loving the group shot and the smiley fella down below; I wonder what treats he had to dangle in front of the camera to get them to sit still … ;)
Monsters & Misfits II is a Circus Posterus group exhibition featuring new works from Chris Ryniak, Doktor A., Kathie Olivas, Brandt Peters and Amanda Louise Spayd. Hosted by Tomenosuke-syoten and the Kusakabe Folk Museum, the exhibition is on display April 13th through April 26th.
Chris Ryniak has just revealed a new batch of beastlies for us in anticipation of Monsters & Misfits II. First up is this meanie, who I’m convinced had something to do with Bubblegut’s missing ice cream. Well … I shouldn’t just start accusing, but he is looking rather snarly for someone who has a paw full of sugar high. Loving the scowl and slivered teeth of this one and I’m also curious of his size; if those candies are to scale, we have another big boy to ogle next month.
Speaking of ice cream — here’s the custom soft-serve Bubblegut who we last saw chillin’ (heh) atop Lizzie’s head. I’m really digging this colour on Bubblegut; it suits the sculpt and emphasizes his eyes. Not to mention that he looks good enough to eat …
Ah, so that’s where those pearly whites wound up! Very cool to see the Cuspid taking a bite out of the Kuma platform; the spots on the head and belly are a nice touch. Any volunteers want to teach this fella how to brush? I cannot guarantee that you’ll leave with brush and/or fingers intact…
According to Chris, “this is what happens when you really don’t know how to use a camera…..and monsters are involved.” True, but you have to admit that overexposed images do lend themselves to pretty sweet teaser shots. I’m pretty sure this is the giant Lizzie sundae — yes, the one with the aforementioned soft-serve Bubblegut. Unfortunately, the only full-reveal of said sculpt also includes its creator being … well, himself. Sorry, Chris, but I have no other choice! Scroll …
And there you have it. I’m also pleased to announce that Chris will also be on display at the exhibition, likely making a series of faces much like this one. Pictures, please. Monsters & Misfits II opens April 13th at the Kusakabe Folk Museum in Takayama, Japan!
