KAWS vs Bearbrick – The eight-pounder, the half-pounder in street art (P2)

Street art culture is growing stronger than ever. In addition to the clothes and sneakers, the models coming from this art background are also popular with people in the world. Besides the design, each story that comes with each pattern is always one of the most stimulating blood collectors of these collectors.

In the rundown models out there, two product lines stand out from two well-known names in the community, KAWS and Medicom Toy. For KAWS, the Companion model line is one of the artist’s most impressive works of art and is exhibited at a series of major art exhibitions around the world. Meanwhile, Bearbrick from Medicom Toy has long been an indispensable “spiritual food” for those who love street culture. So Companion and Bearbrick, which product line is better? Let’s take a look at the points below from EACHSHOES.

Part 1

Highest resell price

Left: KAWS x Medicom Toy x Karimoku – Right: Yue MinJun “Qiu Tu” 1000% Bearbrick

Companion: Among a series of companion versions from KAWS, the model from the cooperation between KAWS, Medicom Toy and Karimoku is considered the rarest and highest-value Companion design now. Launched in 2011 with a count of just 100, this model is made from natural wood and retails for up to $ 3000 USD. And not long ago, one of these models sold for up to $ 25,000 USD at the famous Sothebys auction.

Bearbrick: For the Bearbrick, one of the most resellable bulldogs ever is the 1000% Bearbrick Yue MinJun “Qiu Tu” version. This bear was never released to the public, but only appeared at an exhibition of works by Chinese artists, which took place in 2008 in Beijing. Drawn and designed by Yue Minjun, this bear is fitted with a smile, which makes a difference in Minjun’s works. This model went on sale at an auction for almost $ 190,000 USD, making it the most expensive 1000% Bearbrick in existence.

Score: Companion 1-2 Bearbrick

Affection

Left: A giant model of KAWS on a rooftop in China – Right: A Bearbrick show in Shibuya, Tokyo

Companion: As one of a series of works from KAWS, surely the influence of this model is not small. Considered as one of the symbols of popular culture today, we can see the “X-eye” characteristic of this model in every aspect related to street art. In terms of fashion, fashion lovers surely cannot help but know the KAWS product line cooperating with the famous Uniqlo brand from Japan. Not stopping there, KAWS’s famous features also appeared on the perfume bottle Comme des Garcons in collaboration with Pharrell Williams, or on the cover of the 808s & Heartbreak album by Kanye West. In January, the Companion model up to 28 meters in size was on display in Taiwan. This should be enough for anyone to gasp in surprise, right?

Bearbrick: Although there are no large-scale versions like the Companion, it’s a huge bum for Bearbrick and Medicom Toy. With three popular sizes of 100%, 400% and 1000%, this bear quickly became a favorite collectible item due to its “not oversize” size like his colleague Companion. In addition, this bear also cooperates with a variety of famous fashion brands, from highend to streetwear. In addition, movies are also a no-stop design theme for Bearbrick, with the appearance of cult movies such as Star Wars, Spider-Man, … Not stopping there, this bear also suits with a series of other singers, bands, artists, and celebrities that EACHSHOES cannot mention.

Score: Companion 2-2 Bearbrick

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