I am currently working on a chapter focused on a context for art toys, and specifically Asian parallels for these objects. Bounty Hunter, a clothing boutique in Tokyo seems to be a very important link between East and West in the world of vinyl. Founded in 1995, the boutique quickly gained a cult reputation for 1970s music and popular culture paraphernalia. I'm talking Sex Pistols, Ramones, The Clash t-shirts and Star Wars and Cap'n Crunch toys. They then started collaborating with other artists, colleagues, and friends, creating original t-shirt designs. Out of this was born one of the first vinyl figures- Kid Hunter.
Kid Hunter was the brainchild of the well established Japanese graphic designer Skatething, responsible for the clothing company A Bathing Ape and the fashion label 40% Against Rights. Initially Kid Hunter was produced by Bounty Hunter as a sort of accessory that, was free with the purchase of a t-shirt. After Kid Hunter, Skull Kun was the second vinyl figure conceived of by Hikaru Iwanaga and produced by Bounty Hunter.
Both Kid Hunter and Skull Kun have since become exemplary images of Bounty Hunter, who has continued to produce vinyl toys on a larger scale.
What I also found out is that Bounty Hunter is responsible for facilitating the creation of arguably the most iconic figures in vinyl——collaborations with James Jarvis, KAWS and Frank Kozik. The first incarnations of the characters, respectively, Marvin, Companion, and the Smorkin’ Labbit were the result of a working relationship with Bounty Hunter!
KAWS, Companion, 1999
Frank Kozik, Smorkin' Labbit variation from
Kid Robot
(My main source for information is: Vartanian, Ivan.; Iida, Akio.; Martin, Lesley A. Full Vinyl: The Subversive Art of Designer Toys. New York: Collins Design, 2006)
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