Oriental Sensibilities - two examples

[Michael Tse]

Dear Planeteers,

Having barely settled in HK, I am on the hunt for new exciting kits again. I find that being based here comes with many perks. Models from all over the world are shipped here, in pleasing availability. I for one am a big fan of variety.

Two recent purchases are both from the hands of highly accomplished Japanese artists.

The first one is a terrific portrait of an old-aged, presumably Japanese male. Sorry for not priming it but I hope the pictures are some indications to how perceptive the sculpting is. With these things you never know if it's a recast, and it's not exactly polite to probe the seller. Recast or not, the resin used and the casting quality is as it shows, and I will say no more.

The second one took me by surprise. Many of us are familiar with (at least aware of) the edginess of stuff that Japan's brilliant artists tend to generate, be it a film or a kit. One most prominent master is Takeya Takayuki, whose creations are mostly animalistic cross-overs of Man and vicious things, predominantly in glorious 1/6 scale. This one, an insect-snake-woman hybrid, is approx 1/16 scale, and apparently a creation of Mr Takayuki. I was embarrassed I didn't know that before told by seller.
Note that the snake-thing came from the humanoid's private part. Sexuality is one feature in many of Takeya's works. To the extent it is visible to wary eyes, if not outright indicative.

I have seen some action on Planet lately. I will be perfectly fine to see comments like "I don't like this stuff!" And it is ok also if few leave comments. It really is fine. I intend to share and introduce, that's all. These are figures, right? No rules broken then.

Thanks for looking. And my best wishes go to Steve Kirtley of SK Miniatures, whose collaborations with masters in our field have borne fruit to some of the most talked about masterpieces, including the one to come. Way to go, Steve!

Regards,
Michael

 

[Ferris]

Both look like brilliant sculptwork Michael.
The wrinkly Japanese I find particularly impressive. I'm not really into the fantasy stuff, but the second one must be quite an interesting painting project.
Thanks for showing.

Adrian

 

[gordy]

The aged man is a text book for wrinkles and anatomy

 

[Diegoff]

That old man is an interesting exercise of sculpting, though some areas are a bit overdone. Maybe that add some interest to this sculpting that reminds me the old Rainy Mountain Charlie from Poste Militaire.

The other weird thing... Well, it is a kind of fantasy stuff that seems to be popular nowadays but one that I can´t understand and has no interest for me.

 

[TWOMOONS]

The old man is a wonderful look at a sculptor's talents, although I do agree that it could be overdone a bit. I really like the rib cage at the solar plexus area, something you really have to be thin to see. A great face, too.
I like the other one sculpturally, but don't get what's going on, I don't think---which bothers me.
Very interesting examples of what can be found in other parts of the world....thanks for the peek at them.
Love to see more.
Do you plan to use the old man in any way?

 

[unknown01]

Hi! Ngai.
A wonderful sculpting.
I felt an obsession.
You got a wonderful kit.

Mitsutaka.

 

[Michael Tse]

The other weird thing... Well, it is a kind of fantasy stuff that seems to be popular nowadays but one that I can´t understand and has no interest for me.[/QUOTE]

I can see how this one holds next to no appeal to a wider audience. That's kind of the point, somewhat... The sculptor meant for it to provoke unpleasantness.

On the other hand, kits such as these cost an arm and a leg if original, and even recasts remain unaffordable to many. They are highly sought after and much fabled in a sizable comunity.

That's the funny thing, appeal.

 

[Michael Tse]

And here is my take of what is happening with the hybrid. She is undergoing a far from complete, agonising biological transformation. Now that's the easy part. The tricky and dangerous guess is: she just had a disgusting, over-sized python with a mask for a face come out of her. They share the same mind, and supposedly are staring at the same thing. A close up will show the lips are open, as she moans in pain.

That's my take. And I am a big fan of David Cronenberg.

 

[housecarl]

The old man would make a great Ronin. The woman and the phallic serpent, well the juries still out. But it is a superb piece of sculpting.
Carl.

 

[Diegoff]

And I am a big fan of David Cronenberg.

Me too! And have been an avid reader of Lovecraft and the like!
But, for me, being a fan of many aspects of asian culture, this hybrid is not even disgusting, it is something that doesn't atract me to consider it for a moment.
Maybe this have something to do with our cultural background. Living in a mediterranean country I would love -for example- to see some greek mithological characters represented in miniature: Medusa, Ulises, Prometeus...