Pixelsumo is a blog about interaction, with an emphasis on play, installation, video game culture, playgrounds and toys. Written by Chris O'Shea.
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Friends With You
Posted February 15th 2010 under Inflatable, Installations, Playgrounds, Toys
How much do I enjoy the work of Friends With You? More than chocolate & cake, that’s how much. If I could, I’d live inside one of their spaces instead of grey old Britain.
“Established in 2002 by Miami-based artists Samuel Borkson and Arturo Sandoval III, FriendsWithYou set forth on a mission to spread the idea of Magic, Luck, and Friendship™ around the world, and become Friends-With-You!”
Yes they do quirky & playful character design, lots of plush toys & merchandise, great animations, but aside from this there are 2 things that I’m happy to see.
1) As artists, they have managed to straddle (successfully) the art world and commercial brand activities, keeping integrity in their work and the way they diversify in their products…
“As leaders in developing a new approach that crosses Fine Art, Commercial Work for Hire, and Intellectual Property Brand Development, FriendsWithYou holds a prominent well-respected place in the merging worlds of art and business” – from company page.
2) “FriendsWithYou experiential installations are fully immersive experiences that draw audiences into a magical world where the line between imagination and reality is blurred”
Have are some of my favourites…
Rainbow Valley
“Rainbow Valley is a permanent playground installation at Aventura Mall in Miami, Fl. This is our first-ever dream playground brought to life! Rainbow Valley tells the enchanting story of a miniature mountain who loses his family and goes on a search for other small mountains to play with. This adventure is filled with rainbow blasts, magic, and earth moving moments! If you’re in Aventura Mall, go check it out!”
Fun House
“Our FriendsWithYou Fun House is the most fun art piece you will ever experience (and it’s for big kids too)!”
Skywalkers
“In 2006 we opened Art Basel Miami with an out-of-this-world inflatable procession! Skywalkers, commissioned by Toyota Scion, featured 18 giant blimps (designed by FriendsWithYou & our artist friends), over 300 volunteers, a high school marching band, and thousands of attendees all working together..”
They even have a new boutique store in Miami (see below)…
Comments
(March 8th 2010)
Love this sort of character design but the outdoor stuff is reeeallly good.