New pop culture hype about Bearbrick-Teddys : Collectors are ready to output up to CHF 160,000 for the sweet plastic bears. What is behind the phenomenon of the painted plastic sculptures?
The art world is subject to constant change. While classic sculptures used to be the most popular form of three -dimensional art, today we are watching a trend towards modern alternatives (such as Art Toys ). Above all, the influences of Street Art and Pop Culture can be clearly seen here.
A highly topical example are edbricks of the Japanese company Medicom Toy , which are increasingly being used as a carrier of traditional and modern works of art. Bearbricks with motifs of prominent artists such as Keith Haring , Andy Warhol , Jean-Michel Basquiat and Romero Britto enjoy a sudden increased popularity.
The 1,000 %format (70 cm height) is a modern replacement for traditional sculptures for collectors and lovers. In the meantime, the 400 %format (28 cm height) estimated as a decorative element for showcases and shelves. Numerous celebrities and art collectors have already recognized this trend and acquire Bearbricks as valuable lovers for their own collection. DJ Bob Sinclair is one of them.
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What makes the plastic bears so popular?
The enthusiasm for Bearbrick Teddy Bears takes up some topics that really loves the streetwear culture : rarities, collector's pieces and branding. At the same time, teddy bears found their permanent place in the streetwear scene.
photo by Alex Haney @alexhaney, via Unsplash
Ben Yang is one of the most famous Bearbrick collectors. He informed the magazine "GQ" :
I don't know what rode me. I just thought she was cool! I thought so 'I won't have five or six, brother.' I have to have a damn 50 of these things in the house. ' It makes no sense to do something else. "
The bearbrick captures a strange side of streetwear perfectly: it is based on childlike love for collecting and sometimes random branding that goes hand in hand with it. It is a toy for adults.
That is why the bearbrick was reinterpreted Chanel , Hermès, Comme des Garçons, Bape, Undercover, Sacai and Fragment as well as by artists such as Kaws , Futura and Hebru Brantley The figures are not difficult enough to serve as a letter complaint, but people show them at home as if it were valuable Oscar trophies. They may not be particularly artistic, but people leave tens of thousands of euros for popular editions.
The invention of the Bearbricks was actually based on chance and was not the result of market research. He perfectly sums up the wild, hypeg driven and bizarre atmosphere of streetwear.
Bearbricks as a new medium for classical and modern art
They therefore come like oversized toys. However, these teddy bears are not intended for the little ones.
Photo by Madeline Liu @Madeline_SD, via Unsplash
The Bearbrick figures are collectibles. At first glance, they may look simple, resemble a mixture of lego figure and teddy bear and are made of hard plastic, metal or wood. The teddy bears can cost up to thousands of euros. A really unique model was auctioned for the equivalent of CHF 160,000.
The figures come from the Japanese company Medicom Toy, which is known for the manufacture and sale of collective and action figures.
The bears are available in six different sizes, each shown as a percentage. The most common format is 100 %and these delightful bears are seven centimeters in size. The little ones are 3.5 centimeters tall, while the biggest impressive 70 centimeters reach - that is the famous 1000 % Bearbricks. They are quite rare and therefore the most expensive. In order to increase the collector's value, all series are limited and usually only appear on the market once.
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The toys serve as a canvas for some of the most famous works of art in history and bring classic and modern art to a new medium. The high demand, especially after Bearbricks with the image of modern works of art by Keith Haring, Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Romero Britto, makes you take notice.
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Works of art that could only be admired in museums or galleries are now available as trerms Terms & Conditions are, three -dimensional objects for collectors. Medicom Toy works with well -known museums and art institutions to bring original works to Bearbricks and make them accessible to a new audience. These figures offer a new way to integrate art into everyday life, be it as a decoration or as an investment.
Bearbricks are more than just collective figures - they are the link between classical art, modern pop culture and contemporary design. ”
Photo by Alex Moiseev @indipty, via Unsplash
The larger format is increasingly serving as a modern substitute for classic sculptures, since it gives a modern touch through its presence and artistic design in private collections, galleries as well as hotels or company seats.
The 400%format, on the other hand, is ideal for showcases and smaller rooms in which the focus is on the artistic design of the Bearbricks. Collectors appreciate this size because it is a good balance between decoration and investment. If you are looking for a Bearbrick figure , you will find numerous designs with different artist references.
Cooperation with Chanel and Andy Warhol
The exciting thing about the marketing idea is that you cannot always choose the figure you want to buy. Many 100%-Bearbricks are sold in blind boxes so that they do not immediately know which figure they get (reminds a little of surprise eggs). This makes it a little more difficult to put together a complete set. You can find the blind boxes on the Medicom Toy website, but only as a note: The delivery is (first?) Only within Japan.
Many bears are available for sale individually, but also in various online shops with a focus on design can be discovered more and more. The fewer bears there is, the higher the price per single piece (entirely in the sense of limiting).
Although common models are easier to find, the rare figures can be resold at significantly higher prices. One of the most coveted Bearbricks are those in cooperation with Chanel , Andy Warhol and the American urban art artist Kaws .
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Probability: 0.52 percent
When it comes to teddy bears, there is a fun distinction between "series" and "types" . Each series comprises four unique types: the "Basic" type consists of nine figures, each representing a single letter and together the word "Bearbrick". The likelihood of finding a "simple" teddy in a box is quite high and is almost 15 percent.
The “standard” type comprises a variety of topics such as horror, science fiction or heroes, with teddy bears that are adorned with popular characters, for example, from the DC comic universe.
Next we have the type "artist" with designs from working with a variety of talented artists from the fashion and art world, including names like Vivienne Westwood , Chanel and HR Giger . If you accidentally discover such a figure in a box, you can definitely count yourself lucky! However, the probability that this will happen is only between one and four percent.
The most popular type is the "Secret" design : these are those who appear unexpectedly and are most difficult to find. finding "secret" in a blind box you bought
Famous personalities and their bearbrick collections
Not only many celebrities appreciate Bearbricks, but also art lovers and collectors. These numbers are coveted collectibles, especially in the music and fashion sector. Celebrities like Pharrell Williams, Travis Scott and Virgil Abloh publicly share their love for Bearbricks.
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Furthermore, Bearbricks are no unknown phenomenon in Hollywood and in sports. The figures are used primarily in houses, studios or company buildings by actors, designers and sports stars as a prestige symbol. They are an expression of a modern lifestyle and at the same time works of art.
The future of Bearbricks
Your adaptability, your creative design and cooperation with well -known artists and companies have helped you to permanently establish yourself in the art scene. The market value and popularity of these unusual bears may continue to increase in the next few years.
Bearbricks are more than just a fleeting trend and have been serving as a decoration, collector's items or value facilities for almost two decades. You will continue to delight the art scene with new motif ideas because you combine design, pop culture and art in a skillful manner.
"Bearbrick Be@Rbrick Staffel 1" starts with Apple TV+.
Owner and managing director of Kunstplaza . Publicist, editor and passionate blogger in the field of art, design and creativity since 2011. Successful conclusion in web design as part of a university degree (2008). Further development of creativity techniques through courses in free drawing, expression painting and theatre/acting. Profound knowledge of the art market through many years of journalistic research and numerous collaborations with actors/institutions from art and culture.
