Lunar Express—a collectible toy presented as a modular frame: two architectural arches with crossbars and interchangeable inserts (train cars, figures, natural elements).
This object sits at the intersection of collectible toys and navigational art, inviting the guest on a quiet journey through the park.
Collectible Toy — «Lunar Express» for the entrance area of Meshchersky Park: a modular «lunar crescent on rails, ” where the crescent shape is simultaneously interpreted as the curve of a trail, the sickle of a pond, and the moon above the forest, while the lower arc resembles a railway bed with ties.
CONCEPT AND FORMATION
At the core of the concept is the crescent shape, which connects three layers: Nature:
— the curve of a path
— the crescent of a pond
— the moon over the woods
History: the Meshchersky princes, the summer retreat of 1903, and the railway platform right at the entrance
Architecture: the sketch with intersecting arches and wooden utility structures
The main feeling—a quiet place where no one is rushing anywhere—is transferred into a tangible object.
CONNECTION TO THE PARK LANDSCAPING PROJECT
The toy directly references the park: the curves of the path through the wild ponds shaped like a crescent moon, and the allusion to the train platforms that provide direct entrance to the park, while the arches with railings echo the park’s design sketches and wooden kiosks.
EXTERIOR VIEW: DETAILING / MATERIALS
Primary Materials: PLA plastic for FDM printing the frame, photopolymer for small inserts, and casting plastic for the toy series.Secondary Materials: Transparent luminescent resin, metal pins for connections, and wood for the plaque.Finishing: Colored plastic, post-print painting, and hand-painting of small details; the color palette is natural—pine, moss, water, and clay.
PRINCIPLE OF SERIALITY
One arc—various routes
The principle of series design is built upon a single, recognizable base: all variations share a constant silhouette—a crescent moon on a rail—comprising two asymmetric arcs with crossbars, a lower rail, a stable base, and a maximum size of 20 cm.Only the variable components change: the interchangeable inserts, color, and decoration. The inserts are fastened using slots and pins, allowing them to be swapped out without glue, so the guest assembles their own journey.The series evolves as different routes—whether fantastical or based on favorite films, or realistic, such as parks from other countries, or any custom configuration.
