Origin Stories

SuperMonster市City! was co-founded by master collector David Barnhill and curator Stephen Yogi Rueff. The traveling exhibits are derived from Barnhill’s collection of 200,000 toys, posters, games, and films. Rueff, as Managing Director and  Curator, places the objects in social and political contexts through reflective and informative texts, artist profiles, and commentary. Barnhill and Rueff enjoy sharing America’s iconic mythical figures from America’s Golden Age of toys.

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David Barnhill has been collecting since the early 1960s. David’s parents felt that anything that inspired him to read and stimulated his imagination was a good thing. As David’s interest in film, literature, and comic books evolved, his parents allowed him to pursue his passion for monsters, villains, superheroes, and the fantastic.

David continued collecting while traveling the world – visiting every continent except Antarctica. David felt it was his mission to buy the scariest and most vicious toys he could find. Inspired by the High Lama in the 1930s film The Lost Horizon, David’s vision was that “in some future time, there will be a need for these amazing toys, spacemen and villains for all to enjoy.”

David’s collection now includes more than 200,000 items, making this Minnesota-based collection one of the largest private toy collections in America.  Containing rare and highly sought-after items representing toymakers and monster creators from across the United States and several foreign countries, David co-founded SuperMonster市 City! because he is eager to share his joy in toys, monsters, superheroes, and villains with the world.

David earned a Bachelor’s Degree in American Film History from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, with an emphasis on Classic American Hollywood films of the 1930s and 1940s.

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Stephen Yogi Rueff grew up in Minneapolis collecting comic books in the 1960s and loves his role as co-founder of SuperMonsterCity!, where he is a curator and managing director. Stephen has worked in the arts as a performer, designer, manager, and producer, touring around the globe with performing artists such as MacArthur Genius Award Recipients Meredith Monk and Bill T. Jones, as well as Blue Man Group, Karen Finley, and many, many other artists and creatives. As an Account Manager and Executive Producer for global corporate communications companies Jack Morton Worldwide and BI Worldwide, he produced events throughout the United States, France, Germany, Belgium, Spain, Austria, Czech Republic, and Bahrain.

Stephen now enjoys coaching business start-ups and is Chair of the Arts Entrepreneurship department at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. His academic research explores American culture and the role of fear in play, and through toys, monsters, superheroes, and villains.

Stephen earned his MBA with an emphasis in Leadership and Sustainable Business from Presidio Graduate School. Stephen’s BA from Empire State University, the same college attended by Peter Parker, aka Spider-Man! ‘Nuff said.

CONTACT: stephen@SuperMonsterCity.com

Stephen Rueff & David Barnhill

SuperMonster市City! Team of Champions

Steven Zerby grew up in Minnetonka and Dinkytown, USA, and met David and Yogi in 8th grade and has been offering his photographic skills and artistic vision to SuperMonster市City!

John Gaspard has provided video production support. He is an author and filmmaker, producing or directing seven low-budget features. Check out his author page on Amazon or find his books at other outlets.

Jim Levi grew up in Buffalo New York and has been the SuperMonster市City! senior communications strategy consultant since our inception.

Many others who have provided endless support for this project, including; Nancy Dahl, Ruth Hritzko, Joel Westacott, Nick Michaels, Kate Roberts, Lin Nelson-Mayson, Steve Sibra, Meg McHutchison, Margie and Pat O’Loughlin, Liz Pangerl, Ann Isaacson, Steve Appelhans, Jeff Bair, Dan Spock, and many, many more. Thank you all for your contributions!

Ann Isaacson, Steve Sibra,David Barnhill, Liz Pangerl, Margie and Pat O’Loughlin, Steve Appelhans, Stephen Rueff at the MN History Center (2015)

 

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3 thoughts on “Origin Stories

  1. The historical and cultural significance of this outstanding collection is not to be underestimated. The resounding shock and awe of such an assemblage has been registered in the far away Kingdom of Sweden. The dynamic vision of a man who kept his dream alive has resulted in this impact on modern civilisation. With the addition of modern air superiority and protection from the Federation Star Ships, this collection will stand tall and proud while the teeth of time turn the rest of us into dust. May this man’s statement be a shining shrine on the mountaintop beaming out the message to the rest of the frightened, huddled masses in the reality darkened world: Onward, keep the dream alive!

    Your humble servant,

    Keevin in Sweden

  2. Awesome exhibit!
    Well done, gentlemen.
    And what a funky surprise to have a chance to listen in on the Museum Group’s special meeting with the Collector.
    I loved the commercials and movie bits.
    How swell would it be if you had a huge space to display even more of your very cool toys?
    It was good to hear your gratitude for your parents’ indulgence of your passion for monsters, superheroes and villains.
    June’s anthropomorphic Steiff hedge hog still makes me smile.
    Cheers!
    Paris

  3. Hey David Fabulous Show!!! I loved the posters of Frankenstein and King Kong. I am now gathering all of the promo stuff, photos, posters etc., from the Timothy D. Kehr Collection of Horror, Sci-Fi, and a lot of film stills “Plan Nine from Outer space, Psycho, Wolfman, Dracula, Jack the Ripper, Flash Gordon, House on the Haunted Hill, Etc. Call me. – Robster

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