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The story of Tangle is based on the journey Richard X. Zawitz and his quest to unify his myriad of life experiences into the creation of a four dimensional energy form.
Zawitz’s journey began with his studies in Asian philosophy and art in
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
with scholar, teacher, and mentor, Chan Wing Tsit. From Chan he learned about Chinese philosophy and was convinced to further his studies at the
University
of
Hawaii
.
While in
Hawaii
, Zawitz studied with Prithwish Neogy, a renowned scholar of Asian art and aesthetics. Neogy’s mentoring, along with the influence of philosopher Jacques Maritain, Sigfried Giedion, calligrapher Morita Shiryu, and the story of Enku the Buddhist monk, drove Zawitz to develop his own philosophical pluralism.
When graduating from
the University
of
Hawaii
, Zawitz used all of the knowledge acquired from his great mentors to complete a stone carving called First Twist. This piece of art can be seen as the beginnings of the twisty Tangle we have today.
Upon graduation, Zawitz’s curiosity and interest in a four dimensional energy form led him to the Far East and
Kyoto,
where he studied wood and stone carving in the ancient traditions. It was during his travels that he came across the Tibetan infinite knot, containing a pattern of interwoven lines with no beginning and no end that symbolizes infinite life and creation. It was this symbol that captivated and inspired him artistically and ultimately bore the creation of one of
Richard
’s major works: the Statue of Infinity. The statue is a magnificent, stainless steel sculpture, made of 20 sections of 8 inch diameter tubing that rise into a series of endless twisted turns and curves.
In seeing people’s reaction to his statue, Zawitz realized he needed to create a smaller version of his sculpture that people could actually hold and experience directly. He quickly recognized people’s enchantment and attraction to the twistable energy and magical sensation found in the turning, curvy motion of the Tangles. Furthermore, the Tangles have an immense calming affect and stimulated the free flow of creativity when people manipulated and played with it, making the ways to engage and interact with Tangles infinite!
Each Tangle has 18 sections that can be detached or added onto or even shaped into different ways for story telling, learning to distinguish colors, making into a puzzle and so much more. Tangle also comes as a therapy device, made of rubber with small, bumpy nodes on it that offer a great tactile sensation for kids who are highly responsive to texture.
With over 100 million units sold, the original Tangle has in fact evolved into more than just a toy. It is used as a teaching aid, a therapy device, fashion jewelry, museum art, electronics, and even Tangle furniture! So next time you pick up a Tangle, take time to notice the aesthetic qualities, unique design, and rich artistic history from which the Tangles came from, and you too will see the endless possibilities that Tangles can serve in you and your child’s life!
About Tangle Creations
Tangle Creations is the new name for the organization formerly known as Tangle Toys, It's that fun twisty thing™ that has delighted children of all ages as well as adults. Tangle Creations is a multi-faceted content, product development, and distribution company for Tangle-related products and concepts, with products in toys, electronics, therapy, pet, inflatable, educational, premium, promotional and sports. Tangle has been marketed through our partnerships with major brands like: Nickelodeon, Coca Cola, Kelloggs™, McDonalds™ and has been sold through major retailers with over 100 million products sold. Tangle Inc. is headquartered in South San Francisco and has been in business for over 27 years.
The Story of Tangle
The tale of Tangle Toys and how it came to be is one twisted good yarn that takes us to the four corners of the globe . . . and beyond!
The Inventor of Tangle
It takes a person looking at life from a different angle to invent a toy like Tangle, and Richard X. Zawitz, the colorful creator of the source of "Twisted Good Fun," is that kind of guy. A child of the 60's who grew up in conservative Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Zawitz discovered his talent as an artist as a young man and hit the road to find his muse. After graduation from the University of Hawaii with a major in Fine Arts Sculpture and sub-majors in Asian Art History and Asian Philosophy, with an emphasis on Chinese Taoism, Zen Buddhism, and Tantric (Cosmic) Art, Zawitz hit the road for a major change in both attitude and latitude.
His search lead him to the Far East and Kyoto, Japan. There he studied wood and stone carving in the ancient traditions. The search for more cosmic enlightenment -- and fun -- took Zawitz high into the mountains of Nepal and to the legendary land of Tibet. His introduction to Taoist and Buddhist cultures and philosophies opened his mind and his eyes. One of the things he discovered was the Tibetan Infinite Knot. It delighted, intrigued and amused him all at the same time. There was something about it that captivated and inspired him artistically. Zawitz began creating and recreating the Tibetan Infinite Knot shape in what seemed like an infinite series of sculptures in all manner of materials. It became an obsession that drove him day and night.
The Invention of Tangle
Zawitz's very dreams were filled with the shape and form of the Tibetan Infinite Knot. But in his dreams the knot was always twisting, moving and transforming, changing into cool new infinite knot shapes and even colors. Embarking on a mission to recreate the same fluid, twisting, swiveling, magically transforming movement from his dreams took Zawitz from scientists to engineers, from students at Asian design centers to the Dali Lama himself! The breakthrough came when Zawitz was using his arms to simulate the kind of motion he was looking for in front of a doctor on the Hong Kong ferry. The doctor's comment -- that the body's ball-and-socket design might work best -- gave him the clue that he sought and within a week the first true Tangle was born.
Like All Great Inventions, "A Happy Accident"
Finally Zawitz had a sculpture he could manipulate into the different shapes and designs he saw in his dreams. But what he discovered when he started to twist and turn the piece into different shapes was that it was fun to do. It was more than just fun, it was downright hard to stop. As much as he liked looking at each new shape of his transforming sculpture, Zawitz liked transforming it even more. And it wasn't just irresistible to him alone. Everyone who came to visit his studio was drawn to his new art, and they couldn't keep their hands off it, twisting, swiveling, "Tangling" it into shapes even he hadn't dreamed of. And everyone wanted one of their own.
Pretty soon all Zawitz was doing was making personal editions of his new art piece for everyone he knew. Then he began getting commissions from people who had seen or heard about the piece from those people. Everyone was saying the same thing, they just loved "playing" with his art piece. It made them feel good to manipulate it into different shapes. They loved having it in their hands, it was a great stress reliever, it kept them from smoking, it made them smile, took their minds off their troubles. It was then that Richard X. Zawitz, artist, became Richard X. Zawitz, toy inventor. He found a plastics factory in Asia that could deliver to his demanding specifications at an affordable price, he had molds made, and he began to manufacture his piece. To help let people know what to do with the unusual plastic "thing," he named it Tangle and dubbed the art of playing with it "Tangling."
The History of Tangle Toy
It wasn't long before toy distributors all over the world began to discover the Tangle and started selling them to both kids and adults. Tangles were made in all sizes and colors, with all manner of designs applied. Puzzle Tangles appeared. Corporate logo Tangles were ordered and distributed by the world's biggest brand names. Even Mattel's Nickelodeon Toys licensed a version of Tangle. Over 50 million Tangles have now been sold internationally and every second of every day someone is Tangling somewhere on planet earth. Tangle is as popular today as the day it was introduced because only Tangle has the MAGIC IN THE MOTION that satisfies mankind's irresistible urge to Tangle. No matter where they live, what they do, who they are, or what their background is, the Twisted Good Fun of Tangle is experienced universally.
Richard X. Zawitz graduated of the University of Hawaii in 1972, with majors in Fine Arts, Art History and Asian Philosophy. Mr. Zawitz has made it his life's work to seek an essential energy form that would manifest universal appeal to all people of all cultures. After graduating from the University of Hawaii, Zawitz chose to study with sculpture masters in Asia, followed by a year of apprenticeship with traditional Buddha carvers in Kyoto, Japan. Zawitz traveled throughout Asia seeking the wisdom and knowledge of masters. A remarkable epiphany occurred, and Zawitz decided to mass produce his work of art in plastic so that as many people as possible could enjoy its endless creative manifestation. Unknown to Zawitz then, THE INFINITE SCULPTURE became a thriving business that to this date continues to produce miniaturized plastic versions. This version, available to the masses, is called the Tangle® and is sold worldwide . Over 60 million Tangle® toys have been sold since 1982. All are copyrighted works of art. Richard X. Zawitz continues to produce stone and wood sculptures in his San Francisco studio.
Read more about Richard X. Zawitz's art background.
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