Benny The Dreamer by Okedoki & VTSS Toys


benny the dreamer by okedoki & vtss toysI am really pleased to be able to reveal the first art multiple, Benny the Dreamer by Okedoki & VTSS Toys. I’ve known about this piece for a little while now, but I finally got the green light to share it. Not only do I think this is a very cool design, but I also think Okedoki is a rad person. Based on what I will refer to henceforth as The Hisey Principle, that makes Benny the Dreamer a doubly attractive piece.

benny the dreamer by okedoki & vtss toys

Incredible care and attention to detail was put into all aspects of the production of Benny:

Originally sculpted and painted by Okedoki, Benny the Dreamer has been reproduced in beautiful polystone and individually hand painted.  Each figure comes with a genuine leather scarf and encased in a laser etched bamboo box with a metal tag of authenticity number.

So who is this Benny The Dreamer?

Per Okedoki:

Benny The Dreamer by Okedoki & VTSS Toys

I’ve always loved the dichotomy of innocence and wisdom.  I wanted to combine these two aspects into one figure, and make it unified.  That was how the enlightened multiple eye rabbit came about.  He represented the wisdom and clarity, the transcending force to see beyond social and cultural constructs. Benny represents innocence and pure emotional energy, the child in all of us. The figure went through many stages of transformation over the year I was sculpting it, which was reflected in my personal life.  I had gotten very ill as I was in the final sculpting phase of it, and had to focus my energy to have it completed in time to send it to Taiwan for production.  So, this project was very significant to me,  because it represents a chapter in my life that was very challenging.  So I suppose Benny also represents hope and perseverance.  I finished painting him, then gave him the name Benny the Dreamer, because I wanted Benny to inspire others to go after their dreams; to pursue what is truly in their hearts.

Benny The Dreamer by Okedoki & VTSS Toys

Benny’s production was handled overseas by Vince, a toy collector and founder of VTSS Toys. There was a lot of back and forth between Vince and Okedoki to ensure everything matched (and exceeded) the artist’s expectations. It’s been a while, actually, since I’ve heard an artist speak so fondly about her relationship with a toy company. Speaking of that, did you know Okedoki was female? Most people don’t. If you keep reading her Artist in Residence posts, you will find out lots about her, including: favorite books and movies, thoughts on being Canadian and, of course, all about the making of Benny The Dreamer.

Benny The Dreamer by Okedoki & VTSS Toys

Only 200 pieces of Benny the Dreamer are being made available to collectors.  Each figure will retail for $280 USD. Benny the Dreamer will be released worldwide in late April, with a pre-order on Wednesday, April 13th through VTSSTOYS.com. Pre-orders start on April 13th at 8AM in Los Angeles, 11AM in New York, 4PM London and 12PM (April 14th) Tokyo, and will last for 24 hours or until the limited quantity sells out.

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