COMBO, toys by artists, sculptures by kids

This spring, creative duo David de Tscharner and Rebecca Cuglietta are launching COMBO: a construction toy with an emphasis on design.

15 March 2023

COMBO is 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.

When he created COMBO, the artist developed a connection system, designed with unconventional shapes. He then sought out the perfect material: solid, durable, and beautiful. After several months of research, he discovered recycled plastic panels by chance, when he was walking around his neighbourhood. “This material has many great qualities: it’s water resistant, it floats, it’s safe if put in the mouth, and is almost unbreakable!”

Every COMBO piece is produced in Brussels, using a semi-artisanal method in a short chain. The brand shares its workshop at the Recy-K site, the first eco-hub in Brussels focused on recycling, managed by Bruxelles Propreté, with the ideal partner - Bel Albatros. The company recovers, recycles and transforms industrial plastic waste in Belgium into panels, offering a great deal of creative freedom through the choice of colours and their combinations, which results in a terrazzo-like pattern.

The first three COMBO Kits, designed by David de Tscharner, encourage (small and bigger) children to free themselves from play instructions and to explore their imagination by building small objects. With the BONES kit you can design funny creatures and towering figures that can transform at will. The vibrant cogs of the GEARS kit fit together to create moveable structures and things that roll and turn. The BRANCHES kit is inspired by the plant world - the pieces become coral, flowers or trees. All the pieces can be joined together to create a unique and colourful universe, build an immense tower, or dream up a unique sculpture.

Through COMBO, David de Tscharner and Rebecca Cuglietta want to help contemporary artists and young audiences to connect. Designers and various artists will be invited to explore the material, create new colour combinations and play with shapes to create kits that everyone can get their hands on. More to come.

The philosophy and design of COMBO toys have not gone unnoticed. The young Belgian brand has already been shortlisted in the RoPlastic Prize’s ‘Inspiring Learning Projects’ category, and will be present at Milan Design Week from the 20^th to the 23^rd of April. with their Universe range, exclusive to organisations, schools and families.

The COMBO adventure is supported by Crea.Brussels - a Brussels-Capital Region initiative ran by ST’ART, in collaboration with Hub.Brussels.