As you walk from the city deep into the playa, a series of objects slowly come into view, rising from the desert. Lost. Incomplete. Scattered. A series of giant children's toys comes into focus. The closer you get, the smaller you feel. Everything looms large, as if you were shrinking, or it growing. A stack of blocks 16’ tall invites you to climb and play. Sit in the shade beneath a set of metal Jax. A twelve foot yo-yo on its side with a group of people pulling its giant string! It’s pulling back! They’re playing tug-o-war with it! And last of all, facing east towards the mountains and the rising sun, a 24’ tall mounted wooden soldier stands guard. Welcome to One Tin Soldier.
One Tin Soldier is a series of classic children’s toys strewn across the open playa. These monumental toys, once lost in the sands of time, are being slowly uncovered to re-emerge weathered and worn like the remains of a culture long gone, inviting us to come together again to play with friends.
This art installation has four larger-than-life antique toys: alphabet blocks, metal jax, a wooden yoyo and a soldier on horseback. Read more details on each below.
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You can make out the letters L-O-V and E on alphabet blocks partially buried, emerging from the dust, the letter "V" taller than you. As you near, the worn, weathered features and faded primary colors become clear.
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Old metal Jax lay scattered, piled to 10’ high.
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12’ yo-yo stuck in the playa as if dropped in the sand.
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Facing east towards the mountains and the rising sun, a 20' tall mounted, faceless wooden soldier stands guard, its reins a swing, welcoming you to ride with him
Building a community
Our aim with this project is to create community with other artists, makers, builders, and misfits; to bring more beauty, connection, reflection, and whimsy in the form of large art installations.
Supporting the Project
In 2022, we built Remember When… a prelude to One Tin Soldier. That installation was four blocks that spell L-O-V-E, and placed in BRC 2022. In 2024, we are adding more toys to the mix. We would love to have your help in getting the project to the playa. Please donate if the project speaks to you and if you are able to.
Get Involved
One Tin Soldier is coming to BRC in 2024 as a series of classic children toys strewn across the open playa. Would you like to help build them? Then join us!