„Much Loved“ – Kuscheltiere, die in die Jahre gekommen sind

Das finde ich ein sehr schönes Fotoprojekt. Fotograf Mark Nixon hat unseren treuesten Begleitern aus der Kindheit mal eine nostalgische Fotoserie gewidmet. Hier lernen wir Peter Rabbit, Big Ted und Bobo kennen. Einige von ihnen sehen schon ziemlich rampuniert aus, aber sie sind teilweise auch mehr als doppelt so alt wie ich.

„Much Loved“ gibt damit einen Vorgeschmack auf das gleichnamige Buch, das es für 12,46 € bei Amazon gibt. Darin findet ihr 65 Kuscheltiere mit Infos zu ihren Besitzern. Und was lernen wir wieder? Kuscheltiere aus den 30er/40er Jahren sehen noch wesentlich fitter aus, als ihre Kollegen aus der Neuzeit.

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Pink Teddy (24) Height 13”
Belongs to: Aisling Hurley
My teddy has had quite an interesting life so far. Pink Teddy was born when I was six months old, on Christmas Day 1988. He was bright pink back then with a red waistcoat and we were instantly inseparable. We have only been apart for a few nights since because as much as I would love to bring him everywhere with me I would just be too terrified to bring him to a music festival! He lost his waistcoat and mouth during my childhood and then a friend of mine gave him a glitter glue necklace which has lasted for a good ten years now. He accompanied me to the Gaeltacht during my school days and he became known as Teddy Bn Dearg.
(Gaeltacht is the Irish language word meaning an Irish-speaking region. Children are sent to summer school here to learn the Irish language)
He also came to college with me and we spent many years living the student life in Maynooth. But it was during this time that the greatest tragedy befell Pink Teddy.
It was the week before Christmas break and we had a huge house party on the Wednesday night. There was one particular person that we were hoping would not show up, a girl who had caused trouble at a house party around Halloween and who knew she wasn't welcome. We had an epic night and the following morning I woke up feeling very happy that the party had been such a success but also a little hung over! But what happened next is burned into my memory forever. When I got up to survey the damage to the house I saw something truly awful… Pink Teddy had been ripped limb from limb… I was in shock, horror… I knew only one person could possibly have done it and of course we had stupidly left the door unlocked with people still straggling home after we had gone to sleep. I was consumed with anger but then the tears started to flow. My housemates woke up fairly quickly when they heard me wailing and they sprang into action. Someone got me a cup of tea and a jumper and then someone carried out the delicate operation of retrieving Pink Teddy and wrapping him up in a blanket. I was distraught so I rang my mam and bawled down the phone. She reassured me that my great aunt Rosaleen could fix him.

A post shared by Mark Nixon (@marknixonstudio) on Jan 4, 2016 at 10:51am PST

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Greg's Bear (age unknown) Height 4" Belongs to; Bono & Ali Hewson
This little bear is a memory of one of the most incredible men in my life. Greg Carroll became a great friend of myself and Bono in the early 80s. He died at the age of 26 in a motor accident in Dublin in 1986, and he left a giant hole in our lives. Greg was a Maori, and at his tangi a mate of his handed us this one eared teddy bear. It was Greg's, and it has been with us ever since… a fragment of Greg's reality gone but never forgotten.
U2's "One Tree Hill" was written for Greg and all the great men and women whose river reaches the sea too quickly. Greg's teddy smiles when his good ear hears it played.
Ali Hewson from Much Loved by Mark Nixon #muchloved #teddybear #u2 #bono

A post shared by Mark Nixon (@marknixonstudio) on Jan 5, 2016 at 11:09am PST

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#MuchLoved Pierre (9) Height 12"
Belongs to: Charlotte McDonnell
Pierre came from Paris. He originally belonged to Lara (Charlottes sister) who lent him to Charlotte when she was born and never got him back. He goes everywhere with Charlotte except school.
One day Pierre got lost in Kildare village and Mum Hazel searched everywhere for him in a state of some distress. Finally she found him at the Ralph Lauren wrapping station and broke down crying, "you have Pierre!!" startling the staff. From Much Loved by Mark Nixon #muchloved #teddy #teddybear

A post shared by Mark Nixon (@marknixonstudio) on Jan 4, 2016 at 2:04pm PST

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One Eyed Ted / Aloysius (55+) Height 13" Belongs to: Gerry Ryan/Babette Ryan
Gerry and his brother Mano both owned this bear as children. Gerry took to carrying him around as an adult, after watching Brideshead Revisited and renamed him Aloysius. He often spoke of him on his radio show. There is still a trace of lipstick visible that Gerry's mother Maureen applied at one stage.
Since Gerry's sudden passing in 2010, One Eyed Ted is now being cared for by Gerry's daughter Babette. (Gerry Ryan was a very much loved Irish radio and television
presenter. He presented The Gerry Ryan Show on RTÉ 2fm
radio station for 3 hours each weekday morning from 1988
until 2010.) from the book Much Loved by Mark Nixon #muchloved

A post shared by Mark Nixon (@marknixonstudio) on Apr 10, 2016 at 1:47pm PDT

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Ted (24) Height 9” Belongs to: Helen Lyons
Ted was given to my Mum just before I was born. He started out as a bright pink teddy with a blue star on his chest. Through the years he has lost eyes, limbs & stuffing however Ted is still very loved and cherished.
When I was young my granny would make constant repairs to his neck and arms and gave me a small angel pin to attach to him for my communion which has stayed on his chest ever since.
I had a habit of rubbing his eyes with my finger as a comfort as they were made of glass and always cold. His nose has disappeared into his face as I had a particular way of holding him which also means the fur is missing in distinct patches on the back of his head. From Much Loved by Mark Nixon #muchloved #teddy #teddybear

A post shared by Mark Nixon (@marknixonstudio) on Jan 16, 2016 at 10:00am PST

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#MuchLoved Peter Rabbit (10) Height 16" Belongs to: Calum Nixon
Peter Rabbit was the inspiration for this project.
Calum’s 99 year old Great Grandmother Eva bought Peter for him when he was born and he has slept with him every night ever since. Of the scores of teddies and soft toys now residing in black sacks in the attic, Great Granny knew what she was doing, Peter stuck. #teddybear

A post shared by Mark Nixon (@marknixonstudio) on Jan 4, 2016 at 10:53am PST

(via) Copyright Mark Nixon I Teaser Screenshot Instagram