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3rd World Toys

By Stuart Constantine - April 8, 2010

in Object Culture

To commemorate 2010 Landmine Awareness Day (last weekend - April 4), soldier-turned-designer Craig Alun Smith has launched 3rd World Toys, a series of "stylized" toy replicas of antipersonnel landmines.

According to the designer: "I designed these toy landmines, as replicas of the "parrot" and "butterfly" antipersonnel mines. These are common mines that children in the developing world mistake as toys. The mines are produced by the US and Russia, two civilized nations that still refuse to sign The Ottawa Treaty outlawing the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines Internationally. I wanted to make a statement and help bring attention to the fact that while most of the nations of the world have signed the treaty and recognize the global landmine crisis as one of the most pervasive problems facing the world today, most of the permanent members of the UN Security Council have still to sign or ratify the treaty."

It is estimated there are between 45 and 50 million landmines in the ground in of at least 70 countries. Landmines maim or kill 10,000 civilians every year, a large number of who are children who pick up the mines mistaking them as toys.

The little replicas, in playful primary colors, are made of cast rubber, and can be purchased directly from his Etsy shop. All proceeds will be donated to Mines Action Canada.

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Hollis

14 years ago

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Aaron, I understand your confusion, however, I think that these toys are to promote awareness to the tradigy that is the 50 million active landmines in 70 countries. These toys are not ment to be given to the children in thoes countries.
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Aaron

14 years ago

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Am I missing something, or does it seem foolish to give kids landmine-shaped toys when they already mistake real ones for toys? Is a two year old expected to understand the significance of a circle, two X's, and four mushrooms?

Or are these toys for children in landmine-free countries? Next we'll see toy machine guns to "fight" the use of child soldiers worldwide?
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