An Epic Love Affair: the Artist’s Child Collection at Raduga Grez

When we are children, we have several sources to explain what love looks like: movies, books, our parents. As we get older, we’re able to observe our contemporaries and learn through real world experience. Finally, if we are lucky and the eternal smiles upon our journey, we get to learn the love of a child – perhaps the most dynamic and true relationship we will ever have.

The Artist’s Child line is a new foray for Raduga Grez. Having tempered the bright pastels of previous year’s iterations, AC is both earthy and industrial, much like the environments our children find themselves inhabiting. From the stable and earthy rounds, to the expansive color palette, to the abstract interpretation of a mother’s embrace, Raduga has found itself crossing the line from “toys as art” to “art as toys”.

Here’s some photos and information about the line. As places become available for order, I will update here:

Raduga Grez at Happy Monkey Miami

Raduga Grez at The Mulberry Treehouse

Rounds

Earth toned velvet, or as Raduga says “rounds are like cubes, only better”. The set comes with 15 units. Stackable with cubes, and platforms alike, this is the first wooden toy you can build a snowman out of.

Moving People

Are they dancing? Playing soccer? Cheerleaders coordinating a stunt? A family of Bigfoots? Raduga has left it open ended this go around. They’re pretty big, comparable in size to a large Grapat Nin (the black and white version).

Palette Building Blocks

I’m not going to lie. Until very recently, I though that “Palette Building Blocks” and “Elements Building Blocks Natural” were the same concept, but in different colorways. They’re not. PBB is very much a kaleidoscope, with very few repeating shades. The bottom is engraved with the shapes, as most Raduga pieces are, but without a color key, it’s dealer’s choice how you put it away

If your child is more of an upward builder and you don’t have the Cathedral, the EBBN is more of the way to go. The pieces are longer, but more muted. Really, it’s a decision of do you want more height or do you want more color.

Alternatively, you can view the Palette as a puzzle that never ever is put away the same. In that way, you can create a magical Cubist or Abstract art piece.

Mum and Child Building Blocks

If I bought the “Infanta” for my daughter, I bought “Mum and Child” for me. When it came out, I stared at it for a few minutes. I couldn’t decide if Mum was standing upright or laying down. Then, I realized it doesn’t matter. All that matters is the child is being held. I’ve held my daughter while I was laying down, as well as a standing. So it functions in either capacity. The color way is very much in line with the Infanta puzzle.

Abstract shapes are really helpful for reluctant builders. When a child doesn’t feel constrained by perfection (as represented by symmetry and order), they are more apt to take chances. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. The “Infanta” turned my daughter into a builder.

City in a Box Building Blocks

In a box 18x18x18 inches, this is a very unassuming building set. Yet, once the blocks are out, the builds become…expansive. You’ve got regular pillars, rounded pillars, domes, arches, and slats. I’ve included a breakdown of how many pieces you get of each below.

Comparison Photos and Stash Shots

A Conclusion for an Artist’s Child

Raduga Grez says on their website: “This collection makes you realize that the process is just as important as the result, that you can create new things that are unlike anything you’ve ever seen before.” I think that’s important to keep in mind. If you’re going into this collection for your children to build something specific, I think you’ll be unhappy. You’ll be limiting yourself to certain visions.

Much like the debate of process art versus product art, going into AC with a destination in mind will limit you. Go with the flow. Enjoy the materials and learn new techniques. And perhaps, find yourself in the position of the Artist’s Child.