Michael Workman

It's a black fuzzy thing with adjustable limbs and a single eye planted square in the middle of its boxy little head. Furilla, the creation of Portland designer Toren Orzeck, hit the shelves at this quirky little toy shop outpost and was likely their hottest seller from day one. It's a play on popular culture with a dab of love for plushies thrown in and on the shelves that serve as Rotofugi's back corner "gallery," the history of the toy will get top billing through Christmas in "Furilla: The Untold Story." Only one in a family of "bioengineered" stuffed-toy mutations, Furilla shares the lab table with Bearilla, but this offshoot of the species can't match the popularity that has led to a slew of documentary films about Furilla's origins and history. A glimpse into Orzeck's product-merchandising background--he's a partner in the industrial-design firm Fuse--may prove as interesting a reason for an afternoon visit as the warm and wooly monster itself.

"Furilla: The Untold Story" shows at Rotofugi Designer Toy Store and Gallery, 1953 West Chicago Avenue, (312)491-9501. Through December 31.

(2004-11-17)

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