You don't seem like a jack ass man. I just feel there is a general lack of understanding as to how much labor and effort actually goes into making a toy. Especially for something as massive and nice as the Geek figure. I'm not pointing any fingers but it seems there are a lot of toy collectors out there who are quick to discredit the artistry of toy making in an attempt to keep prices as low as possible. Bottom line, it's a matter of opinion as to what an individual deems a certain crafts worth. There seems to be a large spectrum of opinion when it comes to the price in an art or design field. If someone was an electrician and they wanted 300 for a job, maybe myself not fully aware of the level of education or experience they had, or aware of the cost of materials or the actual time involved could of course say that seems high I would only pay you 100. Or I could basically walk into any store or office in America and just tell people I think they are over paid or want too much money for what they do- it's no different, just an opinion. But why would talented artists or designers want to stay in a field where their time isn't appreciated?
Okay, I see what you are saying. This figure is gorgeous and the amount of work put into it is probably more than I can even imagine. I'll let the pricing be what it is, I mean someone has already purchased this right? It really does rule, I guess I just didn't put enough thought into the matter. I know even just painting toys is one hell of a chore, so I see why a one off with so much detail could be so much. Especially with the Galleries %50 rule. Thanks for explaining it better to me dude.
With all that said Joe, I'm sure you still can see that price had to be made reasonable to the collectors. Not this isn't worth it, just that you have to think what your average collector can honestly afford. It's a real fine line, getting the price just right so everyone is happy. Most toy makers really do shows to meet collectors and get out. At the end of the day it's not a cash grab that's for sure. Also is the reason for group shows. Allows a bunch of artist to put a piece or 2 up to get up, and also help them get to meet fans. I love this 1 off, and understand the price as a maker. But as a collector I can't afford it. If it doesn't sell he is now out compleltely instead of making at least retail. If this was double retail or double and half, it would have sold instantly and he would get paid respectively. Just playing devils advocate.
^^ As you and I have discussed, that is why I'm not doing shows anymore. Because I don't feel like I should force a price point on my collectors that is twice what they would pay directly from me, and honestly I don't think the normal American toy store/gallery is bringing me any new exposure. Is it nice to get out to a toy event or send a few figures along and encourage others to get out...It's a nice thought. But how many people are realistically making a trip to a gallery out of town/state/country? Seems like anymore, half the pieces are picked up by mules for people who can't attend and the other half just go online after the opening. I can understand GEEK just starting out and trying to get out there doing as many group shows or big store exclusives as possible and whether or not his figure sells at TK4 he still gets the same exposure. So it doesn't really matter, if no one is willing to pay the price he gets it back, maybe he even wants it back for himself? Who knows? These are all issues and questions I've been trying to work out over the past year as you know
As much as this isn't the right thread, it's the perfect conversation. And yes indeed bud we have talked about this many times, something I very much enjoy. I think the collecting base should hear all this as well. Your points are on the money, and also beggs me to ask these same questions.
I find it fascinating. Bottom line, the free market works. If it is desired enough by collectors, it will sell. If not, it won't. Pure and simple. To put a different spin on the conversation, I thought the $165 price on production runs seemed eminently fair considering the size of the piece. I'm hoping to score one at DCON perhaps....pretty sure Toy Art Gallery is selling one at the show, and i'd be happy to pay $165 for the right colorway.
Great toy. Definitely has a western designer toy aesthetic to it. Which I find interesting since it still holds the integrity of a Japanese sofbi. And I'm a sucker for apes.
I really like this figure as well but I'm also a sucker for anything ape or simian. I'm hoping I have some luck with the Medicom version.
OK just got my TAG exclusive and he's hooooge!! I didn't realize he would be so big. My only complaint is his hands, they are not as detailed or defined. They just look like open curves. He's a great toy all in all.
One point that hasn't been made yet is that you kind of set a benchmark for pricing when you sell your work in art shows.. The danger when you price something too high is that you can't drop below that mark on future paintings/toys whatever. It would be disrespectful for somebody to pay $600 for a custom toy then have a stack of customs 3 months later at $250 each. Whoever paid $600 would feel ripped off.. So now GEEK probably has to keep his custom pricing consistent which seems a little bit high. On the other hand, a large amount of people equate larger price tags with a high level of quality without investigating the product personally. It's definitely got people talking about it here and while nobody has paid $600 for the figure, I'm sure the exposure has made up for that
well i was still crying i missed the tag release....but what you guys think about the 2 mandarake exclusives? green/black one is my next target!
I don't like the Mandarke versions at all. It just feels off, maybe it's the masking and extreme contrast. The white people/black people thing is also so weird. So far the first version and the TAG are the best IMHO. Looking forward to the DCON version.
Took the words right out of my mouth. A combo of the masking and contrast that's throwing it off for me.
I don't mind the new versions.. Not commited to buying one just yet but I am warming to them. GEEK! is very intriguing at least! Does anybody have any background info on GEEK! ?
I've got one of these on it's way(won the medicom lottery).... was seeking more info about the character though. Where did this picture come from? Most blogs I'd read about Yaghan People had no idea where the design concept came from etc. So I had begun assuming it was just a random creation. This photo ^^^ proves me wrong. So any info about the character would be great
The Yaghan are regarded as the southernmost people in the world living in the southernmost part of Chile. The Yaghan were traditionally nomads, who were hunter-gatherers. Despite the extremely cold climate in which they lived, early Yahgan wore little to no clothing until after their extended contact with Europeans who made first contact in 1830. They were famed for their complete indifference to the bitter weather around Cape Horn. They routinely went about completely naked in the frigid cold and biting wind. (Wikipedia) The masked figures appeared in initiation rites and were used to impersonate powerful spirits. Worn by already initiated members of the men’s lodge, they would appear to the younger male initiates as manifestations of spirits they were raised to be fearful of and the effect would be truly startling. The initiates would have to fight the spirits and unmask them to learn the truth, and then they would be told the story of world creation and the origin of the masks: In the time of the Ancestors, all things walked the earth as people. The sun, the moon, the mountains, all were people. Women ruled, and to maintain their rule they created a secret lodge. Led by Kra, the moon woman, the would wear bark masks and bodypaint themselves and would appear to the men so disguised, saying they were the powerful spirits who stayed with the women in their lodge. They would frighten the men and order them to stay away. Kran, the sun man, discovered the deception. He and the men chased, beat and killed the women. Then they created the men’s lodge and their own spirit masks and disguises. (Bark Masks and Bodypainting of the Yamana (or Yaghan) and the Selk’nam (or Ona) of Tierra Del Fuego by Christopher Agostino)
Apparently on some japanese blogs people refer to the Yaghan as inspiration for some utraman and kamen rider monsters... My Japanese is not good enough to fully understand this though.
Fascinating, thanks for posting! I can definitely see how these might have served as inspiration for some Ultra baddies like Kemur Seijin, Dada etc...
