Nakanari and Dave Quiles of Agi Agi Studios currently have their Techno Babble show running at the designer toy store and art gallery My Plastic Heart in New York City. Shows at My Plastic Heart are usually small, intimate affairs where fans and collectors can come and meet the artists face to face. This show was no different. Nakanari (a.k.a. Tony Shiau) was readily available to talk all things art and toy as he mingled with everyone in the crowd. The show mainly consisted of acrylic works and compositions on canvas, but a few plush and vinyl customs were also on display. The character designs on the pieces were simple and not overly complicated, and fit perfectly with the rows of designer toys that filled the shelves of the tiny gallery/store. An extremely limited black edition set of Misfits of Nakanari was also on display for hungry collectors. Only six sets were produced.

Aaron Young from New York-Tokyo was able to catch up with Nakanari and ask him a few short questions about the show. Interview after the jump.

New York-Tokyo: Was this your first show in New York? How was it?

Nakanari: Great! I want to say thanks to My Plastic Heart. They are so cool and helped us set up the show. I really liked it a lot because of the set up and also the crowd that came to the opening. Everyone gave us huge (and positive) feedback. They all enjoyed our show.

NYT: Will you be coming back soon?

N: I am really looking for more shows and stores that will be interested in my work. Hopefully I will be back soon.

NYT: Did you meet any fellow designers at the exhibition?

N: Yes. kaNo, Lou Pimentel, and Kid Robot staff. Thanks so much to you all for coming and supporting our show!

NYT: The black edition of the Misfits of Nakanari were nice! Are there going to be any future releases and/or designer collaborations?

N: I wish I can have more time working on casting figures. They need time to patch, then sand, and then the paint job. If I do have more time I might come up with Misfits custom toys in the future.

NYT: So, what’s next for Nakanari?

N: Some new projects are coming in terms of toy design this year. I still have some customizations and collaboration projects with Kidrobot. There’s a 20″ Dunny for the new NYC store opening, a collab with awesome toy designer MARK LADWHER from Coarsetoys, and also the Taipei Toy Festival. Those are all the projects I have been working with.

N: I just wanted to say thanks so much for hitting me up for an update on your site! I wish I could stay in NYC for a couple of more days.. so I can meet more people.

Techno Babble is currently running at:
myplasticheartnyc
210 Forsyth St.
New York, New York 10002
646.290.686

By Aaron Young