Art-Toys(Brian McCarty)

Art-Toys is a massive collection of Brian McCarty's meticulously composed photographs that uniquely chronicle the Art-Toy movement. For six years, McCarty worked alongside a host of international artists, photographing their toy characters in actual locations ranging from the Grand Canyon to Times Square. The resulting photos are sometimes dark, often funny, and always hinting at a deeper story. The moments that McCarty manufactures in front of the camera feel real, as if he's simply documenting the day-to-day lives of toys.
 
Each of the over 100 photographs stand alone on a page, allowing viewers an unfettered look at the world from McCarty's toy-based perspective. An extensive behind the scenes section is included at the back of the book, providing a narrative glimpse at McCarty's methods and the artists with whom he collaborates. Snapshots taken on set reveal the brilliantly simple techniques behind some of his most magical and iconic images.
 
Because the toys that McCarty photographs are simultaneously art objects and consumer goods, many of his images were created to serve both creative and commercial goals. As such, they provide a unique perspective on the art and commerce of the Designer Toy / Urban Vinyl movement. A number of books have explored the content of the Art-Toy movement before, but this is the only collection that captures the energy and the attitude of a new era in Pop Art from the perspective of a fellow artist.
 
About the Author
Brian McCarty is an internationally exhibited artist and toy industry veteran based in West Hollywood, California. His postmodern integration of concept and character has earned his photography a prominent position in the Art-Toy and Pop Surrealist movements. However, McCarty’s work is often more akin to reportage than photo-illustration. His approach is grounded in documenting actual – albeit manufactured – moments of time from a uniquely personal perspective.
McCarty’s work has earned notable praise from such places as CNN.com, The New York Times, The Telegraph UK, L’Uomo Vogue, ABC World News, and XLR8R Magazine. In addition to spending nearly four years in-house at Mattel Toys, McCarty’s commercial portfolio includes commissioned work for Disney, Hasbro, MTV, Rockstar Games, Kidrobot, and Cartoon Network.
McCarty has presented work from his WAR-TOYS at the V&A Museum of Childhood, St. Lawrence University, TEDx, and the Carter Presidential Library.