http://weburbanist.com/pics/anton-tangs-adorable-danbo/
There are times when many of us would like to cover our heads with a cardboard box and shield ourselves from the outside world. Other times, we walk around feeling like the faceless, boxed-up production from assembly lines. Yet whichever our experience, the plain facts that give us hope are that we’re all human and we’re not alone.
Anton Tang’s mini cardboard box people are absolutely adorable, created by an artist who uses toys to express his unique take on life, and its fragility. These charming little figures, positioned by Anton all around Singapore, are full of individual personality. They look like cardboard boxes but are actually Danboard figures, characters in cardboard box suits from the Japanese manga series Yotsuba&!
When we think of recycling objects or materials, we usually think big, but Anton, finding fresh uses for old toys is distinctly small-scale, the children’s playthings going way beyond their original purpose . Anton takes the tiny models he collected years back (reportedly having bought them from the virtual recycling yard that is eBay) and places them in Lilliputian, yet unexpectedly familiar settings, where the ordinarily small objects around the figurines assume a magnitude beyond their normal measure, allowing the pint-sized players in the scenes to touch our hearts.
http://weburbanist.com/pics/anton-tangs-adorable-danbo/
Anton has made a statement with these tiny installations about recycling that goes beyond the material. In reimagining the way in which his characters relate to one another, Anton recycles anew what it means to be human. And we all recognize ourselves, cardboard or not.When asked what inspired him to photograph the cardboard characters, Anton said.
http://weburbanist.com/pics/anton-tangs-adorable-danbo/
“It all began from last year when I bought my first DSLR camera. I took pictures of the toy doing something ridiculous to share with my friends. But to my surprise, I received many responses from other users who stumbled onto my photos by accident. All of them told me that they enjoy what they see; the result of overwhelming responses has encouraged me to take more pictures of it. So I decided to start this project about Danboard. My main intention is to brighten up everyone’s day”.
There is little doubt that Anton has succeeded beyond his wildest dreams in his ambitions. Nobody could fail to be touched and inspired by these pathetic little figures with their unspoken yet obvious humanity. It is things like this unforgettable and inspirational work that help promote the importance of recycling in our current society, as well as providing the viewer with endless pleasure. Truly brilliant artistry from a very talented artist.
http://weburbanist.com/pics/anton-tangs-adorable-danbo/
