„It’s not a funny toy” is probably the first exhibition in Poland fully dedicated to bootlegs toys. The exposition will be available until 20th February 2022 at the ESKAEM gallery in Gdańsk.
„It’s not a funny toy” is about breaking stereotypes and the belief that not everything has to be inclusive. Especially now, we should learn to live with diversity - give ourselves and the world space for change. Bootleg toys are a serious joke about all aspects of life that mock us. This form of expression is due to the fact that it does not have to do anything, but can do anything. Bootleg toys are a lot of fun with convention, which can only be limited by your imagination.
Creating bootlegs is a long and tedious process of searching for toys at flea markets, preparing silicone molds, measuring the resin, waiting for the result and the post-production process that gives a whole new context. An integral part of the final figure is the packaging, which often determines the value of the final work. Is it art already? Or just another form over content? Judge for yourself and at least have fun.
–––––– BOOTLEG TOYS
–––––– SOCIAL MEDIA MATERIALS
–––––– LEAFLET
–––––– PHOTOS FROM THE OPENING OF THE EXHIBITION
–––––– MAKING OF
IDENTIFICATION OF EXHIBITION & BOOTLEG TOYS –––––– Magdalena Nestorowicz
THANKS TO
Ada Kamińska • Marek Rogala (curator at ESKAEM) • Marta Bańka • Monika Serafin
Magdalena Nestorowicz (born 1993) illustrator, creator of bootleg toys. Her works are an interdisciplinary mix, from small, sculptural forms to illustrations and graphic design. As one of the few people in Poland, she creates bootleg toys. In the process of artistic activities, it is primarily about giving a completely new context to objects that, when processed, comment on or refer to pop culture, often also to the ecological or political situation in the country and in the world. The transformed objects are most often vintage figurines. Her works are in the hands of contemporary art collectors.
photos of old polish bootleg toys made by Jakub Burzyński
