On Nov. 3 at 111 Minna St., it was all about the Munny, and not in the context one might initially think. Kid Robot, a company specializing in designer collectible toys for grown-ups, held a charity benefit for Hurricane Katrina survivors that went above and beyond merely asking for donations for the American Red Cross. The night revolved around the company’s first Do-It-Yourself toy, The Munny Doll, which inspired art and activism amongst celebrities and local artists alike.

“It was a three-part move,” said Alia Vajrabukka, 24, the Kid Robot employee who helped throw the event. Along with Michelle “Crykit” Kolnik, local “b-girl” extraordinaire from the group Sisters of the Underground, the two turned the company’s toy launch into a charity benefit helping to encourage local artists to use their creativity for a good cause.

The 8 inch Munny Doll, a blank slate figure that came with a coloring book and its own mystery accessories, provided the perfect canvas for outlandish designs and one-of-a-kind gaudy embellishments—to be wielded at the disgression of its creator. Lined in glass cases, atop black velvet tables, the mini army of Munnies were put on a silent auction that started at a bid of $30. The event, which was also held in New York and Los Angeles, would open up the biddings on Ebay the following day to give everyone in the world a chance to bid on the dolls.

“We sent out a press release to many celebrities who we thought would like to be involved, and who have always supported us throughout the years,” said Vajrabukka. Among them were San Francisco local Robin Williams and his daughter, Pharell of the Neptunes, Mark Ecko, and DJ Qbert—just to name a few. But it was the former SF State alumni lounging alongside curious onlookers, who appeared most excited.

Aries Nunez, the Art Director for the Distortion 2 Static television show, created “Solid Gold,” a bald, flesh-colored figure clad in a mini fur coat, gold chain with oversize gold dollar sign, and gold sunglasses that reflected the show’s logo. “I wanted to make a mini pimp cup, but I didn’t have time,” laughed Nunez. Gerald “Whiz” Ward II, created his “Munny on the Low End”, inspired by A Tribe Called Quest’s album cover “The Low End Theory.”

Erin Yoshioka, 25-year-old SF State alumna, created one of the only Munnies that directly addressed the worst natural disaster in U.S. history. Her teal-colored Munny, complete with stitched frown and X’s for eyes and ears, was dedicated to former FEMA director Michael Brown. Brown’s face was painted on the Munny’s tummy, with a rhinestone dollar sign for a third eye, and a crown painstakingly hand-beaded with the initials “MB”.

Yoshioka named the doll “Miss Use of Munny.” She said it was a statement made towards Brown, appointed by George W. Bush, who “was not qualified enough for his position.”

Painted on the back of the Munny was the phrase “Organize local measures for a sustainable future.”
“I knew that this was a mainstream event, but I always do political work—so why stop now?
Regardless of what I do as an artist, I gotta evoke some kind of emotion or thought,” said Yoshioka.