COMBO presents Blah Blah in collaboration with renowned artist Ryan Gander

This spring, creative duo David de Tscharner and Rebecca Cuglietta are launching their first COMBO collaboration.

20 February 2024

COMBO is art to play with. Building kits crafted by artists for children and grown-ups alike. A collection of fascinating shapes in recycled plastic with jazzy colours.

For its first collaboration, COMBO gave Ryan Gander carte blanche. Ryan is a British conceptual artist born in 1976. He finds his inspiration in ordinary situations from his everyday life. He uses production techniques borrowed from craft, art history, fashion, film or music industry to turn them upside down. Ryan manages to infuse poetry into pairs of shoes, glass architectures or animatronic animals.

For COMBO, Ryan created BLAH BLAH. 33 sounds created from components of made-words invented by the artist’s middle child, aged nine. The font is based on her best handwriting. The work combines words, meaning and form. Each sound means nothing and can be used to invent words and play with sounds whilst making sculptures.

Download all images here

There are two kits available : one contains the 33 elements, the other 8 elements chosen randomly out of the 33. All kits have their own handmade random color patterns and come in a block-printed reusable cotton pouch.

COMBO is a project with a social heart too. We donate 15% of each edition’s sale price to a charity chosen by the artist. Ryan Gander has chosen Whizz Kidz, UK’s leading charity for young wheelchair users.

To unveil its collaboration, COMBO teams up with MANIERA Gallery to blend play and design at their location at Hôtel Danckaert. Individuals of all ages are invited to explore the boundaries of creativity, where contemporary art, toys and furniture intersect.

Practical information

Maniera and COMBO present Blah Blah - an edition by Ryan Gander

Exhibition from 6 to 16 March

Release party on Saturday 9 March from 2 to 6 pm

Maniera, Hôtel Danckaert, Rue Meyerbeer 33 , 1190 Brussels

COMBO Toys at Art Brussels

From 25 until 28 April 2024

Brussels Expo, Halls 5 & 6 , Place de la Belgique 1 , 1020 Brussels

COMBO Toys at Salone Milano off

Exhibition: Bold Dualities, Curated by BaronessO

From 15 until 21 April 2024 @belgiumisdesign

Ateliers Baranzate

Via Gaudenzio Fantoli 16, 20138 Milano

Prices

8 random sounds : 55€

Complete set of 33 sounds : 185€

Points of sale

Bozarshop (Brussels), C-Mine (Genk), MAC’s (Grand Hornu), MUDAM (Luxembourg), MUDAC (Lausanne)

More info about Ryan Gander

Ryan Gander

Ryan Gander OBE RA is a British artist. Since 2003, Gander has produced a body of artworks in different forms, ranging from sculpture, apparel, writing, architecture, painting, typefaces, publications, and performance. Additionally, Gander curates exhibitions, has worked as an educator at art institutions and universities, and has written and presented television programmes on and about contemporary art and culture for the BBC.

Wikipedia

About COMBO

COMBO is art to play with. It's an open-ended construction set designed for children over the age of three. The pieces can fit together to make temporary sculptures, to assemble art to play with. This innovative set was invented and developed by artist David de Tscharner and his partner, Rebecca Cuglietta, also parents of two young children.

As a practising artist, David de Tscharner places great importance on tactility and interacting with the audience; creating systems wherein the items can be handled, moved, and engaged with. COMBO extends this vision of playful and interactive contemporary art, putting it within the reach of little ones. COMBO offers children the opportunity to free themselves from stereotypes and create dreamlike structures, fitting each piece together, assembling, and creating their unique work of art …to play with.

Through COMBO, David de Tscharner and Rebecca Cuglietta want to help contemporary artists and young audiences to connect.