Teddy – From Legend to Lifestyle

Description

From the first models around 1900 to the icon of pop culture and a coveted collector's item: the teddy bear is probably the most popular cuddly toy in the world. What makes it unique is mainly its emotional significance: because it is no longer just a toy, but often also a loyal friend, comforter, and silent listener. For over 100 years, the teddy bear has accompanied us through highs and lows – as a toy, a cult object, and a collector's rarity. But the fascination with bears goes much further back, as mythology and symbolism impressively show. Whether in old legends, heraldry, or customs like the Basel Bear Dance – the bear, among other things, stands for strength, protection, and courage. The exhibition tells how this fascination with the bear led to a plush toy that achieved worldwide success. In the 'Year of the Bear' 1907, a real boom began, and Teddys conquered children's rooms in Europe and the USA. Soon after, the bear in the form of Winnie the Pooh, Paddington, or Balu made the leap onto the screen and into television. Advertising also used its bear-like radiance, for example with the Haribo Gold Bear. Meanwhile, the teddy is long part of everyday design and adorns lifestyle products as well as runways, with brands like Ralph Lauren or Palm Angels reinterpreting it.
The teddy bear now appears to us in various forms. Familiar yet always new, it is an omnipresent quiet companion in our lives. The interactive special exhibition also features new stations of the animated storytelling tour to discover. Using innovative technology, the bears in the exhibition are brought to life.

Highlights

• Exhibition about the history of the teddy bear
• Interactive experiences for all age groups
• Insight into the cultural significance of the bear

General Information

The exhibition at the Toy Worlds Museum Basel highlights the development of the teddy bear from its beginnings around 1900 to its role as a pop culture icon. Visitors can discover the emotional significance and the diverse representations of the teddy bear in various cultures.

Location

Steinenvorstadt 1, 4051 Basel, Switzerland

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