Design by Alex Katz, Tony Oursler, and Rob Pruitt
Produced by Visionaire Publishing, LLC, 2007
First (and only) Edition
"Visionaire 50: Artists Toys" is made up of an assortment of 10 unique “Toys”, with each one designed by a different acclaimed Fashion Designer. As expected, the “Toys” vary wildly in simplicity or complexity. All of the Toys are spectacular, and they are reproduced with precision and excellence. Each of the Toys is actually a Matryoshka doll (Russian: матрёшка; IPA: [mɐˈtrʲɵʂkə], matrëška), also known as a Russian nesting doll, or Russian doll, and is a set of wooden dolls of decreasing size placed one inside another. Some fit together a specific manner, but some allow for various ways to reassemble them. They are totally ingenious.
Additionally, there are toy additions that can dress-up the figurine, and then a list of Visionaire Titles on an accordion folded-sheet of laminated paper. These are housed at the base of a pyramid organization of the Toys; stacked four, then three, then two, then one. A clear heavy folded plastic silk-screened cover is tightly fitted over the white plastic pyramid of Toys, which shows the title of this Visionaire Issue.
“After the runaway success of Visionaire 44: Toys and Visionaire 45: More Toys, both of with featured a set of 10 adorable yet provocative adult playthings created in collaboration with the cult toy manufacturer, Kid Robot, by an assortment of today's hottest fashion designers, the editors of Visionaire are pleased to present the 2006 edition, Artist Toys. Unlike the previous sets, which were created from the same toy prototype, the shape of this new original toy multiple is brand new. The artists who have been selected to customize the new prototype include painter Alex Katz; sculptors Tim Noble & Sue Webster and Tony Oursler; conceptual artist Rob Pruitt; graphic designer Chip Kidd; illustrator Robert Crumb, and much more. The set of 10 toys come packaged in an all-white tray with a silk-screened clear cover. Visionaire is pleased to celebrate its 50th issue with this very special limited edition of 4,000 copies."
This Issue of Visionaire #50: Artists Toys is offered in Near Mint condition, however, the sides of the top square of the triangle are separated on its sides to allow for reaching the base to eject the Toys from behind, or to remove the plastic base that anchors all of the individual Toys. We are not sure if this is a design feature or a separation in the cardboard, but nonetheless, it affects absolutely nothing in the Issue and actually facilitates functionality. Each of the Toys measures 2 ½ x 2 ½ inches and narrows down with the 2nd and 3rd internal Toy. The painting of each layer of the Toy helps solve the puzzle of reassembling them after taking them apart. Each Toy has the fashion designer’s name painted on one of the four feet. This issue of Artist Toys is a Display copy, meaning it is not numbered from the 4,000 edition. This item was never handled and went into a plastic sleeve upon receipt from the distributor. Display copies were strictly limited to Booksellers who marketed Visionaire products at a high volume, and are a rare commodity in themselves, especially in this condition.
Visionaire 50: Artists Toys is guaranteed to keep you busy and hold your interest for hours each time you engage. There is so much to absorb in each Toy, and it all changes if the Toy is reassembled a different way.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Choking Hazard-Children 7 and under and Pets. Buyers are WARNED that these Toys disassemble into small enough pieces to cause a choking hazard if swallowed. When purchasing this Item, Buyer assumes responsibility for the oversight of owning this item. There should be nothing ambiguous about this declaration and warning. You MUST ask if you don’t understand this warning.
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As always, if you have any questions about this item or this auction, please contact me BEFORE you purchase this item. Of course, if something happens to the book in transit, or if the book does not match the stated condition in this auction, then I will accept returns. If "sealed" then cannot return as unsealed. Photograph or save box if claiming transit issues. Photograph if claiming damage not referenced in the auction. The book cannot be returned if damaged after received. Legitimacy is assured.