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Ching Head, a Sit-Down with Jason Choy
by
John Wong - Action-HQ.com
Sitting
at Brown House Coffee, Ringo Ngo the Business Director for Ching&Co
mentioned that meeting Jason Choy, creator of Ching&Co,
was harder than one
would realize. Jason, a tall long hair artist type, listens and laughs at the
supposedly other interviews that he has given to various magazines
and websites.
He did agree that he does keep to himself
a lot. Ringo sits back weary eyed with a
smoke ready to jump in at any sign of anything miss-said as we roll into
the interview.
As with most designers making their own
toys, I always wonder how they
came up with the idea for their figures. I mean, it's good to
know when things come out and so on,
but what are the products really about. As the discussion progressed,
it seems that the all too recognizable Ching Head is more than
just that. There is in fact a Ching empire! But before we
get into that, we might as well start from the beginning:
John > Jason,
tell us about Ching&Co?
Jason > Well, I'm a collector and I got into vinyl making about
2 years ago. I was looking at all the
designer toys that were coming out and notice
that they were mostly urban and hip-hop, very non-Asian. And I thought
why not something Chinese; I mean why not provide collectors out there
with something else. That is how I started Ching&Co and Ching Head.
John > Ching Head
is very Asian and in fact, it is a Chinese soldier from the Ching
Dynasty. So
why that character in particular vs any other?
Jason > I always wanted to do that figure and since no one
was making it, I had to do it myself. However, I knew I had to
make
it more modern and attractive so I added in Western aspects like
the changeable sports shoes and the like. Actually, when I first
started on him, I was told that
no one would like it [because it was too Asian] but now, you can
see other designers adding in an Asian-style.
John > Your next figure
was "Potato Wheel".
How did you come up with him and why that name?
Jason > "Potato Wheel" is a old-style
Chinese executioner similar to the hooded executioner of old
Europe. I named him "Potato Wheel" because
his color and shape is like a potato and he is round like a
wheel. He is actually part of my Ching City series I.
John > So there actually
is something behind the figures. I was wondering about that as
there is a
progression. Can you tell me more?
Jason > Yes
it is. There is a whole story behind Ching City. Actually
this will be the first time I have talked about this. [Looking
at Ringo]
I'm not sure if I should be saying this but I guess Ringo will
stop me... Well just a little. It is very complex. The characters
of Ching City will revolve around the plot and mystical artifact
called the "Royale Mystery".
It is a puzzle of a sort and when unleashed, is a time
machine. Now you see why they have an amalgam of items
such as the
sport shoes. That is all I can say right now.
John > Very interesting.
[Readers, you heard it first here!] Tell me more?
Jason > Well our next character is... uhmm [looking at Ringo]
... is "Dead
Skin". He is a criminal. Things are unfolding
now, huh, haaa. He is called that because he has coarse
skin like a dead person. He also has stitches across his face like
a pirate and a tattoo on his back.
I will get you some pictures when we are ready to show them. I
cannot right now as there are too many people making fakes right
now and
they can do them in
2-3 weeks. Anyway, then in the next Series, I am looking to create
the King of Ching City and Jester, etc.
John > Yeah, that
topic about fakes needs further discussion but perhaps another
interview. So with the figures and story, will there be a comic?
Jason > It is too much work for me right now. It
was either the figures or the comic and I am still
tying down some of my ideas. However on the new packaging, we
will include some of the story line. Actually you can see it in
the
"Chung Shan" packaging.
John > Yeah, what
about "Chung Shan" and
how does he fit in?
Jason > He is under Ching&Co label but under
a different series called "Out
of Town". I would like to note that this
line is for more our price-conscience consumers.
Chung Shan is a Westernized Chinese who has found his inner Chinese-self
amongst Western ideas. As you can see from the prayer beads and
by his arms and hands, I have posed them in a very
Buddha-style position. Anyway, the story revolves around this character.
You can find out a little more on the packaging. I am looking to
produce his brood probably next year. And am examining the relationship
between him and Ching City plot together. There is the "Royale
Mystery"!
John > Things seem
very planned out and I am glad as not many have the foresight.
Another question, I think readers would like to know is why you
always
have an "Anti-" figure?
Jason > Everyone has a dark-side and that is where it came from. We all have
two faces, a balance like Yin Yang. The color schemes
chosen very much reflect that. And it is better than calling
it this X-version or color-variant.
John > Fair enough.
Any last words?
Jason > Though I am a collector and understand why people
do not open their toys, I would like people that
buy them to actually appreciate them by taking them out and playing
with them. I created a lot of accessories just for that purpose.
For "Potato Wheel", it comes
with 5. No use leaving them in the bag. Be such a waste otherwise.
After our sit-down, there is a deeper understanding and appreciation
for Jason's work. Where a lot
of toy design/concept influence is from the West, he has actually
rebuked this
like some of the Asian toy designers and set his own style. Then
there is taking the best of both East and West in thought and idea,
and the "Anti-" thing with Yin and Yang. Something for all to
consider. This is the first time he has expressed
his ideas and lets hope that we get to see more of Jason's work soon.
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