Rankin & AMV BBDO Bring Children's Imaginary Friends to Life at V&A Museum
AMV BBDO has brought
together some of the world’s best creative talent for a new exhibition, which
opens this week at the V&A Museum of Childhood. The press and poster
campaign will break on 1st February. Model makers such as Aardman
and Psyop have both contributed to the show, titled ‘The Imaginary Friends
Collection’. The world famous photographer, Rankin, was then brought in to
photograph the children with their imaginary friends.
The project began way back in September when more than 60 children were
invited to a workshop, where they were asked to describe their imaginary friend
in as much detail as possible. The most interesting characters were then
brought to life by the likes of Tsuneo Goda, the creator of the Japanese pop
icon Domo Kun. Aardman, famous for their creation of Wallace & Gromit, and
Becky & Joe the two creators of the viral hit ‘Don’t Hug me I Am Scared’.
The results are as varied as they are intriguing and range from an 8ft dinosaur
to a three-eyed girl with a pet cloud.
Arvid Harnqvist & Amar Marwaha, the creative team who devised the
idea, said: “Children create many amazing things. Take their imaginary friends
for instance. They are talked about all the time and often become part of the
family. But when the child gets older, these marvellous creations fade away.
This project aims to immortalise them.”
Rhian Harris, Director, V&A Museum of
Childhood, comments: “This new campaign has brought
together children’s imaginations with some of the UK’s most exciting designers
and artists, in an exciting project to bring their ‘imaginary friends’ to life
for all to see. The Museum of Childhood is part of the V&A family of
museums and committed to inspiring creativity in all.”
Aardman, creator of Monster, add: “An imaginary
friend with 3 eyes, 4 arms and 4 legs. What’s not to love! We’ll
play that game any day. Thanks AMV BBDO and V&A Museum of Childhood
for letting us join in.”
Péter Vácz at Picasso Pictures, creator of Swerl, comments: “As an artist it's one of the most exciting things to
bring an imaginary creature to life, especially when it comes from a child's
mind. Eva Wood's ‘Swerl' is one that I was very happy to bring into our
world.”
Becky and Joe
at BlinkInk, creators of Chloe, add: “This
was a really fun project to be involved in and it’s such a great idea.
Hopefully bringing the imaginary friends to life won't give the children
nightmares… we’re not sure we would want to hang out with Chloe ourselves!”
Monster: (“Monster”) made by Aardman for Leo Georgiou
© Rankin
Cat: (“Lilly’) made by Psyop for Ruth Fekade
Lion: (“Swerl”) made by Picasso for Eva Wood
Fox: (“Jamie’) made by dwarf for Lily Whitby
Dinosaur: (“Nessi”) made by Psyop for Julio Sanz
Girl: (“Chloe”): made by BlinkInk for Mable Brim
© Rankin
