Ugly Business

Wage has turned six. For those of you late to the non-X-rated adult-doll scene, Wage is the original Uglydoll, a wee monster created by David Horvath and Sun-Min Kim in 2001. Although the plush thing is not really ugly (it's nowhere near as ugly as, say, a Goo Goo Doll), it's beloved by legions of not-really-young people, many of whom woke up one day and thought, dolls! Since then, the Uglydoll line has grown to more than 20 monsters and achieved worldwide fame -- they even show up in Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium, which seems dishearteningly corporate until you realize that Dustin Hoffmann looks a lot like Wayne Coyne with his white jacket and silverly hair. Today, Ugly Con, the cutest little indie convention of them all, returns to Wage's old stomping grounds, Giant Robot. Offerings include handmade dolls, drawings, paintings, prints, and a costume contest, so break out your roll of green felt. If you're unconvinced that any of this is at all important, understand that last year people began lining up for Ugly Con at 6 in the morning, according to the site. Why? Three words: limited-edition Uglydolls. The world is so much more interesting with collectors in it.
Dec. 8-Jan. 9, 2007