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about
Chico Bicalho was born in Rio de Janeiro and studied at an elementary school where the football field had trees throughout, because the school was against cutting them down. Later he moved to Petropolis, RJ, an area surrounded by the South Atlantic tropical rainforest. He believes in having a spiritual life, in freedom, and in peace; supports the theory that the earth is one living thing and feels that humans should understand nature, live with nature, and be equal to nature; received a BFA in sculpture from RISD and MFA in photography NYU; since 1995 has been working with a group of friends on reforestation projects replanting native South Atlantic tropical rain forest trees. Chico lives in Rio with his wife, a graphic designer/industrial designer called Isabella Torquato. He wants to keep traveling, making art, and planting trees. Categories
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le pinch
November 5, 2007
The new windup, Le Pinch was designed in collaboration between Chico Bicalho and Isabella Torquato. The concept was discussed, and based on the movement of the inchworm, back in early 2006. In order to illustrate the movement, and idea of a mechanized inchworm, an animation was created using a 3d modeling program, and sent to the factory, in order for research to begin.
To orchestrate the alternating movement, and articulated pivoting of Le Pinch’s gearbox, was no easy task. The mechanics involving the unique movement of Le Pinch was by far the most challenging windup design in the ten years since Critter was introduced back in 1997. More than one hundred prototypes were designed, and produced between 2006 and 2007, but only towards the end, they began to make sense, and to move properly. Although Le Pinch was, by far, the most complex, and challenging windup to create, we hope it entertains people in the same proportion, for we believe the result is exactly what we had dreamed with from the early plans.
Chico and Isabella
A few customer responses
June 6, 2007
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※資料請求手順
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＜資料請求手順＞
１． 『http://www.ca-assist.net』へアクセスする。
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Dear Chico
Nice to meet you.
My name is Ayumi YAMAO, from Japan.
I bought “COSMOJETZ” at the shop today.
He (She?) is so cute, I was charmed him a lot.
Now, he stays near my computer and was lost deep in thought.
And others appeared in the cataloge are looked very intersting,too.
But there are a few kind of them in Japanese shop now.
So, I really wish that I will see a lot of kind of them in Japan someday.
Sincerely yours
Ayumi YAMAO
==========================
Dear Sir,
I send you e-mail once before regarding the toy you design.
This time I would like to find out if you perhaps know how to purchase
TOURMALINE mineral , AGARICUS MASHROOM from brazilian jungles & OAK TREE
SAP (which reduce swelling in the body and observes toxins) .
I hope you are well and still successful with designing toys.
Regards
Zinka Mayer
Zinkazm@aol.com3/6/06 12:21 PMZ——@aol.com
> Hallow
>
> Thank you. Best wishes with your atlantic projects. It is a huge forest
> inedeed.
> Regards,
> Zinka
Thank you Zinka, and good luck finding your products.
Best regards;
Chico
svrocket
April 29, 2007
Svrocket is the replica of an object we suspect fell from the sky sometime in March 2001. The object was scooped from a 10 foot crater by a farmer in deepest Wisconsin on a chilly Friday morning. So far, no one could figure out its origin; some say it is Russian, others say it’s American. There is even a claim it could be from another planet. One thing we know for sure; the sample you just bought was made in China.
We were amazed by reports that Svrocket was still moving back and forth when it was plucked from the bottom of the crater, hot and smoldering. We thought it was completely useless, until we realized there is a small piece of wire shaped like a sphere on the top, where you can clip a note, a picture, or a card.
You can wind up Svrocket half way and let it display the note standing up. Or, you can wind it all the way and let Svrocket tumble back and forth, exactly as it was found inside its very own crater.
PS: The original Svrocket may have survived re-entry and impact, but, this replica, isnÕt meant for that, so, please try to keep it from falling off the table.
Enjoy!
zecar
March 29, 2007
Here are some tips to enjoy your roly-poly friend, and get the most fun out of its spring-less existence. Zecar is a very simple toy car. Just push it, and try to make it overcome small obstacles. Zecar can even slide on its back if the going gets tough, but you don’t have push Zecar very hard. Zecar overcomes barriers at its own steady pace.
To push Zecar, hold the front and the rear ends, not the sides, and gently give its wheels a spin by dragging them on a surface. It has lots of torque, and it moves rather slowly. You can choose to have the traction be the front, or the rear wheels. You can also slide it upside-down on its flywheel and two free spinning wheels. Zecar is not a race car, or demolition derby machine; it should not fall off tables, or be slammed around.
Zecar came to this world for a very important mission, other than entertaining us; all of the proceeds from the royalties will go towards reforestation projects in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. The funds will contribute to the planting of thousands of trees a year to help restore part of the Atlantic Tropical Rainforest, the most critically damaged in Brazil, with the richest variety of trees anywhere in the world.
Enjoy!
critter
February 22, 2007
Here are some tips to enjoy your wired four-legged friend and get the most fun out of its fidgety existence. Critter is like an old Jeep with the mind of a mosquito; it needs occasional maintenance, tweaking and sometimes a drop of oil. Don’t worry; it’s all part of the fun. To wind up Critter, hold it in one hand, keeping the counterweight from spinning, while turning the key with the other hand.
Critter works best when all four booties touch the ground approximately 4″ (10 cm) left to right, and 4 1/2″ (11.5 cm) front to rear. The legs may be adjusted by gently bending the wire near the body. If it falls over too often, bend the legs slightly apart until Critter becomes steadier. If it’s not active enough, adjust the legs closer together.
Every once in a while, a bit of spray lubricant will keep the engine revving like crazy. Critter’s favorite performing surfaces are marble tables or thin carpets; essentially any level surface will do. What it really loves is to tap dance on a pool table with other Critters. Two or more Critters together make a Critter-jitter party.
Enjoy!
nino
January 26, 2007
Nino is a shy beetle, which inhabits the mountainous tropical rainforests all over South America near the Andes. Nino has a bright red shell, making it difficult for him to hide, so, when Nino is spotted, it jumps really high. One of Nino’s favorite activities is to help pollinate plants, just like bees do.
To make Nino hop, press it down on a smooth, clean surface until the suction cup on the bottom attaches. Wait a few seconds, and, as the suction cup releases, Nino jumps up! One trick is look at Nino with the corner of your eye, then, when it jumps, grab it, and give Nino a big hug, but make sure you stay away from Nino’s trajectory as it jumps, catch it as it falls!
Enjoy!
Chico & Isabella
samba
May 26, 2006
Sparklz noticed how Bonga became Tromba with its new shell, and decided it needed to experience evolution as well. This is how Samba was born. Since it is not organic, it copied our linear, perpendicular form of nature, and this is what it came up with.
To make Samba move, hold the wheels, and wind the key on the bottom counterclockwise. Let Samba go on any smooth surface, and, it may find the meaning of life in its new, evolved form. You can set up a small community, by assembling Samba, Tromba, and Pitomba together.
This series is dedicated to the Brazilian poet Manoel de Barros, who once wrote: “The snail is a house that walks”.
Enjoy!