MANILA, Philippines - Supreme is all about experiments in print. Last Valentine’s (we consider the whole month Valentine season), granted that an exhibit of this subject would not be granted permission in Singapore, photographer Toy Mataas exhibited his “Bubblegum Kiss Project” in the not so sticky shores of Boracay—at Hey Jude Bar, to be exact. With it, Toy Magtaas explored “the themes of intimacy, attraction, and personal boundaries using an innocent everyday item – bubble gum.”
Last December, Toy stopped real-life pairs from all over the world and playfully posed the question, “Would you share a piece of bubble gum with the person you’re with?” In the Bubble Gum Kiss Project series, he provokes us with just how innocent or sexy the sticky substance can be. Do you love the person you’re with right now enough to put their gum in your mouth? Now that should stick to your minds.
Since we know that not the whole world can come to Boracay at this point, Supreme did the next best thing to sticking your mouth to your loved ones, with bubblegum in tow. We decided to stick these images to our pages, as a firm commitment—a sticky one) to remind you how much we are committed to loving you, dear Supreme reader.
“The bubblegum in the pictures possesses a raw energy that has evolved into more than just candy—it is something incredibly personal. You don’t just share your gum with anyone,” said the artist Toy Magtaas, of his work that is both intimate and erotic, sensual, playful, innocent, entertaining and most of all, binding.
About The Artist
Toy Magtaas is a Filipino photographer and video artist. He grew up in Iligan City then worked as both as a commercial and event photographer in Manila. He has covered events for international DJ Chicane, Paul Van Dyk, and Gatecrashers as well as projects for diverse clients like Unilever, Metrobank, Shangrila Hotel Makati, Total Gas Company, Nivea Men’s Skin Care. After 8 years of working in Manila, he moved to Dubai to work with Media Leader, one of the biggest publishing companies in the Middle East. He conceptualized and shot advertorial campaigns for Chanel, Saks Fifth Avenue, Sephora, and Harvey Nichols. He is now fulfilling his long-time dream of living in Boracay.
The Bubble Gum Kiss project is his first one man show inspired by the endless diversity of people in Boracay.