CI Boys by Jan Calleja

Customizing is a norm in the vinyl world because it gives artists a chance to showcase their creative skills. These Do it Yourself (DIY) vinyl’s can be drawn, colored, brushed, sprayed, etc. whatever the creative minds can think off. Some even go to extensive lengths by sculpting and adding accessories to these figures.

Jan Calleja is one of those artists. His 2 CI boys named Zu-1 (engineer) and Zu-2 (doctor) were both concept mechas. Originally he was planning to do a series of these boys but eventually the project evolved into a bigger one.

Packaging:

His custom made 7” CI Boys arrived at my office bubble wrapped inside a sturdy box. These 2 figures had the same concept but totally different in design. Jan used just about anything he can find for his customs. I see decals, nuts and bolts, tubes, lenses, etc. 

Collector’s Perspective:

People put a lot of time and effort into customizing these masterpieces so I do consider them as collectibles. I am quite amused with his designs on these 2 CI boys – they look like scuba divers with CCTV cameras on their faces (love the camera like lens accessory Jan).

According to Jan, Zu-1 is a bit special because parts of it were made from scraps of BMW. To translate what he told me, the were neighbors with BMW Philippines before so they get "to sift through their garbage."

PhoTOYgrapher’s Perspective:

These CI boys are already sold so I am taking careful consideration not to bring them anywhere for pictorials. I am once again confined to just doing table top work of these boys. Though these boys pale in comparison to his OptiMunny prime (these were one of his earliest customs), nevertheless I have to say the Jan is a creative genius.

The usual perspective shots will give these boys life.

Some Issues:

1.) The alphanumeric stickers on the boys could be improved. Some are good while others look out of proportion. I do not know if these were deliberately designed like that.

2.) In my personal opinion these boys would be better with a base. Unlike Prime who looks magnificent as is, you can bring more life to these boys by adding a base to it.

Like what I wrote above, these CI boys were one of Jan’s earliest customs and he has gotten better (check out his Prime in my posts) a lot since then.

Gears used:

Canon DSLR

Canon 100mm f2.8 Lens

2 pcs. Jinbei 180 watts (each), Softbox, Grid and Morris IR Trigger

Benro A300 Tripod

Falcon Eyes Product Table & Gray background