The
Boezels are a range of animal friends designed by Twan Verdonck from Neo Human
Toys. They are used for sensorial stimulation therapy (Boezels Snoezelen) AND as
ueber-trendy artificial pets (Boezels Interior).
Each
Boezel friend has unique characteristics and applies in a specific way to the
four senses (touching, smelling, hearing, seeing.) There is a monkey with a
belly which can be warmed up in the microwave, a snake with a relaxing smell, a
skunk which farts awful, a bird which sings songs, a kangaroo where you can lay
in, a frog which blows its cheeks when you sit on him, a zHumanoyd-baby and many
Boezels more. Each Boezel can be used by itself. But combinations of Boezels can
be made to create different environments to fulfil your wishes, making this a
very interactive and stimulating way of relaxing.
The
Boezels vary in size from 20 cm to 200 cm! Some Boezels can be cuddled on the
lap, others will cuddle YOU. Due to the perfectly balanced combination of
material, weight and size they provoke a strong feeling of physical contact.
No
batteries or voltage are needed for the Boezels! Making this a safe and solid
program to play with. Many research has been done on the tactile qualities of
the Boezels. That's why they are made of quality (fake)furs and special textiles.
However each Boezels-animal can be cleaned easily.
Meanwhile
many people have become a Boezels-fan. EVERYONE seems to react instinctively
well to these artificial pets! The
Boezels have often been used for multisensorial therapy (snoezelen) with
mentally challenged people, elderly with Alzheimer’s or small children. And on
the other hand we have also heard about trendy Boezels parties where friends
meet and relax together with their Boezels.
The
Boezels and the Boezels-project are initiated and designed by Twan Verdonck. It
started in 2001 as his graduation project at the Design Academy Eindhoven. Now
Verdonck is working under the name of Neo Human Toys where he also develops
other concepts for the industry, community and art world.
The
first edition of the Boezels was produced BY mentally challenged people in
daycare center, "De Wisselstroom" in Hapert, the Netherlands. "My
project is a metaphor and example for how we could deal with social care,
industry, design and art" says Verdonck.
The
Boezels-project will be exhibited with three pieces in "Safe: Design Takes
on Risk" at the highly respected Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), in New York
City, from October 2005 until January 2006.
Verdonck is currently looking for a partner company to produce and distribute a bigger second edition of the Boezels, worldwide.
For
more information, please contact us via: