What is XOX?
XOX is a shape and a system, in a range of scales and materials: from hand-crafted wire-art modules the width of an LP record (see Hot Mesh) to pieces printed in plant-based plastics that fit in the palm of your hand – this is XOX Toy.
XOX Toy is a construction toy for adults (and children). It’s an art toy* and a throwback executive desk toy. It’s a do-it-yourself sculpture that’s both pastime and decor. It’s a game with rules to be discovered.
A standard set is 18 modular building-blocks 3D-printed in PLA (plastic made from plant starch) with embedded rare-earth magnetic connectors. It comes in a collector’s box display stand with a magnetic base pattern for building on. Current colour ways are red and blue pieces in a black box with colour icon.
Each set is made to order, individually numbered and signed, and part of a limited edition first run of 99. Box size approx 15 x 15 x 5cm (6 x 6 x 2″) and pieces around 5cm (2″) high.
Buy yours for around $200 at our Shopify store africanrobots.com where you can see more images of the work.
Currently offering free shipping within South Africa and to the United States**, thanks to our shipping partner TUNL
And more on YouTube
*What’s an ‘art toy’, and why does it matter? Art toys, or designer toys, are inspired by the mass-produced toys that many artists and designers grew up, but are limited-edition and often self-produced (there’s a nice description of that childhood influence by the US designer toy fair Assembly Required). Art toys are a form of Pop Art in that they borrow the aesthetics of factory-made items, but are more unique and costly to make – so they’re also priced higher than something which is mass-produced. Think of it as an affordable artwork rather than an expensive toy. Each set of XOX Toy is made to order by a small 3D printing company, and assembled by hand in Cape Town, South Africa.
**Ouch those tariffs though! As of September 2025, an additional 30% in import duties is applied to everything going from South Africa to the United States, where previously there were no import duties for goods under $800. That sucks both for customers in the US and for us trying to sell them our wares. But hello rest-of-world!