THEY'RE HERE (almost): For followers of Martian Toys you may have noticed a certain quietude online these last few months. What you probably didn't know was that owner/brainchild Aaron Hulsizer has been developing a completely brand-new gallery/shop behind-the-scenes to open on November 4th, uniquely called Mothership. And there are some creative juices flowing in the process. My thoughts are that this new venture will be otherworldly :)
When I spoke with Aaron he was kind to provide a render of how the new gallery space is coming along near downtown Philadelphia, in the Northern Liberties District. This is certainly great news given my recent post about such shops declining. We raise a glass of bubbly and say launch that mothership! And he shall, with monthly shows including the grand opening which will be as he says: "Our first show will run through the end of the year and will be a retrospective on Martian Toys first 20 months in business online - it will be called "Alien Artifacts : A Martian Toys Retrospective". The show will include some recent custom pieces shown at various conventions.
"Our hope is there can be other satellite stores and galleries elsewhere in the future ... We will concentrate on the mid tier cities (beta cities)... Metro areas large enough typically to support pro sports team and arts but smaller than the big 4 (NY, Chicago, LA...). Our research indicates that commercial rates/foot traffic makes them less viable for niche industries like designer toys and pop surreal art. Put another way they just aren't worth the enormous monthly expense to operate!"
One such custom you'll see out there (and at NYCC) as Aaron tells us is the incredible "Wetworks (Carlo Cacho) using the familiar Martian Toys mascot UFO with his custom figure for the NYCC "The Advanced Party (from Mothership)" October 6-9th booth number TBA. There will be over 120 new customs available at NYCC". What's more you say? As a 50/50 gallery/shop they will carry Kidrobot, tokidoki, Coarse, 3A, and more. The shop will be managed by Alex Rivera aka @playfulgorilla as gallery manager who will work with Aaron on product mix and curating shows.
Well, I for one, in the immortal words of Gary Numan are certainly "Praying to the Aliens" for a safe landing to keep long/prosperous come November!
