Photo by Maurice Arisso.MAURICE ARISSO/THE LANTERN
A walk into the designer toy section of Rivet Gallery in the Short North is quite an experience. You could spend hours admiring the uniqueness and intricate detail of the toys, which line the walls of the gallery. There is so much happening within each toy, that it begs consideration as something more than merely a toy. Each is truly a world unto itself. Artists like Kid Robot, Unkl and Touma consider their creations much more than just toys – their creations are art.

The term “designer toy” is a term given to a collectible toy, created by an artist and produced in limited editions that range from a few hundred to a few thousand. Materials include plastic, vinyl, wood and metal. These toys art not intended to be just playthings, they are pieces of art to serious collectors.

Pop surrealism, or low-brow art, has never been fully accepted by mainstream society as fine art. But “rejected” artists have nonetheless developed niches in art, digital production, and even toys. Influences range from punk rock to underground comic books, and the art is often dark in a way that uplifts through sarcastic humor.

Rivet Gallery is no typical art gallery. Half of the store is a store for designer and do-it-yourself toys. “My intent is to bring a style of art to this city that is overlooked most times,” owner Laura Kuenzli said. “Rivet exhibits work from artists whose art is the same genre and focus as we strive to present, no matter is they are local, national or international.”

The do-it-yourself toys are some of the most popular at the gallery. They are white, cartoon-like figures with no facial expressions – a blank slate for the artist to customize and style.

“These toys are very popular,” Kuenzli said. “They are also ready for you to paint, pierce, cloth, pencil or even crayon.”

Photo by Maurice Arisso.MAURICE ARISSO/THE LANTERN
What makes Rivet Gallery stand out is its dedication to the medium. It boasts a wide variety of toys, from plush designer toys from the Uglydoll collection to the 20-inch Touma Dunny by artist Kid Robot (which is priced at more than $300).

Toys at the designer gallery cater to collectors as well as youths looking for something different and unique. “Our customers range from 5 years old to the discerning adult collector,” Kuenzli said.

So the choice is yours to decide: Is it art, or is it a toy?

Photo by Maurice Arisso.MAURICE ARISSO/THE LANTERN

Maurice Arisso can be reached at [email protected].