There's a robot beneath the fluff.

April 24, 2008 8:39 PM

In Vestimentis Ursum. Designer Matt Kirkland peels off the fur of mechanized stuffed animals to take a look at the robots lurking within.
posted by hydrophonic (25 comments total)

Related: Kent Rogowski's inside-out Bears.
posted by hydrophonic at 8:40 PM on April 24, 2008

Good God, why'd you have to post this right before I went to bed? These things are going to haunt my dreams.
posted by Johnny Assay at 8:49 PM on April 24, 2008

When I worked in a thrift store and toys such as these were cheap and readily available, we used to strip the plush and stuffing off and add lights, paint, extra eyes, and extra limbs. I think I still have one or two of them somewhere.

I'm going to put some fresh batteries in them and set them on your bedroom windowsill.
posted by louche mustachio at 8:58 PM on April 24, 2008

I hope no one tells this guy how sausages are made.
posted by Slothrup at 9:00 PM on April 24, 2008

The stripped-down toys are pretty odd. But they're not as odd as the original designs, IMO.
I mean who buys a chicken-dancing Elmo for their children? Does anyone say "you know what, I think my child really needs a chicken-dancing Elmo"?
Anyone who's not on serious drugs?
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 9:12 PM on April 24, 2008

"...they're my friends. I make them!"
posted by loquacious at 9:12 PM on April 24, 2008 [2 favorites]

"...home again, home again, jiggity-jig!"
posted by kaseijin at 9:29 PM on April 24, 2008 [2 favorites]

haha, the "peepers" one is hilarious. The innards seem to have this odd gravitas.
posted by delmoi at 9:46 PM on April 24, 2008 [1 favorite]

That cat one looks kind of human - like a manticore.
posted by milkrate at 9:47 PM on April 24, 2008

looks like I have a new hobby!
posted by billyfleetwood at 9:58 PM on April 24, 2008

I mean who buys a chicken-dancing Elmo for their children?
In my case, it was a friend that bought one for my daughter. And he did it not so much because she wanted it but because he knew it would drive me crazy. And it did.
posted by Sailormom at 10:01 PM on April 24, 2008

If there was a Funky-chicken-dancing Elmo, I'd buy a dozen.
posted by hydrophonic at 10:11 PM on April 24, 2008

I am SO turned on right now.
posted by subgear at 10:30 PM on April 24, 2008

Kirkland's ex pluribus union project is mildly amusing, as well.
posted by unmake at 10:32 PM on April 24, 2008 [2 favorites]

Is this toy designed to teach theories of recursion?

Ha!
posted by breath at 11:18 PM on April 24, 2008

"...they're my friends. I make them!"

"...home again, home again, jiggity-jig!"

I WANT MORE LIFE, FUCKER!
posted by katillathehun at 11:50 PM on April 24, 2008 [1 favorite]

"Is Tigger a Meta-Toy?" was the correct pull-quote / title for this post.

Just saying.
posted by rokusan at 2:22 AM on April 25, 2008

Furby Autopsy does exactly what it says.
posted by Jakey at 2:54 AM on April 25, 2008

Marvelously compelling. Thanks.
posted by Faint of Butt at 5:30 AM on April 25, 2008

This is why we can't have nice things!
posted by Halloween Jack at 6:53 AM on April 25, 2008

I really enjoyed this. The comments were especially appropriate and made my morning.

When I was younger I always wanted to make an Alien movie. Then I grew up. Then I got this robotic T-Rex on a lark, indulging the kid in me. I always thought: if I could strip the skin and create a new one...I could easily create a practical chestburster special effect.

I've since considered doing something like that for Halloween, but I'd need to chop up half the dinosaur and I don't think that would help it work.
posted by Brainy at 6:57 AM on April 25, 2008

It's getting hard to be hyperbolic. The "Blade Runner" references aren't too far over the top. Here's a robot that was made years ago....
posted by Kronos_to_Earth at 7:48 AM on April 25, 2008 [1 favorite]

I don't know why this is so funny, but it gave me the biggest laugh I've had all week.

Kudos!
posted by Afroblanco at 8:39 AM on April 25, 2008

this is amazing and scary. thank you.
posted by cal71 at 10:49 AM on April 25, 2008

The cow one was extra freaky without its skin. Yikes.
posted by Locative at 1:44 AM on April 26, 2008