Sunday, March 22, 2015

Monica Fowlkes - Weekly Artist Post





Vancouver-based photographer Dina Goldstein shoots for magazines and ad agencies around the world. Her series, In the Doll House, examines the less than perfect life of B and K. B is a super doll, the most successful doll in the world. Her partner K is grappling with his sexuality and finds himself in a loveless marriage. He struggles with his position in the household and faces his lack of authenticity.

In The Dollhouse, 2012 plays out in a 10 part sequential narrative, photographed in a custom built adult sized dollhouse. This time Dina takes on one of the most powerful symbols of Western culture: Barbie and Ken, the beloved and idealized American couple. More than any other childhood construct, Barbie represents the concept that `Beauty´ is the apex trait and is necessary to attain power and happiness. Her co-star Ken, who has been trapped in an imposed marriage for over three decades, discovers his authentic self and finally expresses his individuality. Barbie’s fate is grim in Goldstein’s hands, as she breaks down and confronts her own value and fleeting relevance.


Barbie has been such an influential character to many little girls for decades.  I always love to see the twist that people out on her and Ken.  I love that Goldstein posed the in the arbitrary poses that Barbie dolls are known for.  I also love fact that they look so plastic lifeless as if they were life size dolls.

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