Composed by more than 3500 figurines from Kinder Suprise eggs. PolyKinderchromie n°1 is the first canvas of the ongoing Kinder Collection.
A bit of history.
For a long time, Italian chocolate makers produced huge quantities of chocolate eggs for Easter, but the rest of the year the machines remained idle. In 1974, Michele Ferrero, judging sales too seasonal, began to manufacture days after Easter, chocolate eggs whose consumption would no longer be limited to Easter period alone and, like traditional eggs, would contain a mini Surprise.
Kinder Surpise was born in the spring of 19974 under the original Italian name of "Kinder Sorpresa". Since then, over 30 billion eggs have been sold worldwide.
At first, the gimmicky surpise was a simple assembly of small yellow plastic parts. But over time, the surprises have become more and more sophisticated, to the point that collectors have become interested in them, going so far as to resort to stock exchanges and auctions, creating a true "Kindermania"
Every year "O.Ei.A" release the Kinder Surpise eggs Collector's guide referencing every figurines since 1974 including the prices. Going from under 1 euro to over 1200 euro/piece.
MY STATEMENT.
Not just any figurines.
I mainly used the collections from the eighties, nineties and early 2000s called "monobloc" which are the most collectible ones. Back then each Kinder Surprise was molded and painted by hand.
First Impression.
The onlooker dives right back into childhood almost hypnotically. We all had a Kinder egg in our hand, we all shook it wondering what we are going to get. Throughout this work, all sort of emotions resurface with intensity, joy, nostalgia but never with indifference.
Upcycling.
By using vintage toys know to everybody I'm giving them a second life ans meanin. It's also an act of recognition by giving a voice to all the amazing minds who helped imagine them and more importantly to all the invisible hands who helped shaping ans painting then.
Pop Art.
My work is based on modern popular culture. The concept itself of Kinder Surprise point out the mass consumption aspect of our society.
"Ferrero is an Italian multinational manufacture of branded chocolate and confectionery products, and the second biggest one in the world"
But when purchasing a Kinder surpise, it's not the chocolate the consumer is buying but the Surprise inside it...
Conceptual Art.
All figurines are glued to one another and interlock with each other. By doing so, it also reflect our society. We all are is some ways, Kinder Surprises. All tagged with a valu. All hanging on each other struggling to affirm our singularity. Striving to be seen. Rare are those who rise above the others. All unique and all the same at the same time.
What might look like simple children's toys, is an echo to our entire society.
