Archive: Arts & Entertainment

Tompkins County Public Library has announced the August 27 opening of 'Rhino Toys' a thought-provoking exhibit featuring hand-crafted toys designed to highlight current events and social issues.

Created by Buffalo-based artist and public school art teacher, Rich Tomasello, 'Rhino Toys' examines—through specially-designed toys reflecting traditional stereotypes and common media-messaging—issues of war, school shootings and social injustice.

Inspired by the 2012 Newtown, Connecticut school shooting, Tomasello created a series of dark, ironic and absurd action figures presented under the fictional toy company brand, Rhino Toys.  The series includes customized toys—made from existing playthings—packaged in meticulously designed boxes, complete with guns, bullets, clips, body armor, grenades, gas masks and human targets.

'Rhino Toys' will be on display at the library through October 31.

Teens are invited to explore the concepts behind the exhibit during an action figure-making workshop being held in conjunction with TCPL's August 29 Tomp-Con mini-comic convention.  Tomesello's workshop will take place from noon to 1 p.m. and is open to participants ages 9 through 19. Attendees will be able to take home their personalized action figures.

'Tomp-Con' will also feature an illustration workshop, author/fan talks, a game room, a Super Smash Brothers tournament and a cosplay fashion show.

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