Outline Proposal
I propose to exhibit a show of works that are interpretations of contemporary art works and contemporary artists themselves, in the form of sculptural soft toy dolls.
The exhibition would consist of an installation of fabric creations, some completed and some currently in progress, which utilise traditional doll making techniques resulting in sculptures that reflect and overtly reveal their handcrafted making process.
Rationale
What initially began as a deconstruction of the stereotyping of children’s toys, with a series of archaeological Barbie and Action Man dolls, (in reference to Baudrillard’s theory of Simulacra and Simulation) has become a continuing theme within my artistic practice, where I create and appropriate doll imagery.
Through making “Manga Magne” and “Minor Magne” dolls, and the creation of a doll effigy of Damien Hirst’s For The Love Of God I have developed doll versions of Duchamps’ Fontaine, and Hirst’s Mother And Child Divided.
The parasitic nature of the works is intended to be playful and alludes to the artistic traditions of mimicry and artisanship which, in the case of these works, can be simultaneously interpreted as homage and parody.
The homemade aesthetic of my doll version of Sarah Lucas’ Two fried Eggs And A Kebab, for instance, could initiate an additional feminist critique or undermine its position as art-world icon.
The soft toy aesthetic physically and visually alters the original art works message and it is this diversion that I am most interested in. What happens for example when I render Lucas’ table, in Two fried Eggs And A Kebab, with floral fabric or remake Duchamps’ Fountain from satin wedding dress material?
Proposed New Work
I am currently extending the project to dolls of artists themselves, including Gilbert and George, Grayson Perry, Tracey Emin, and Van Gogh.
As an installed exhibition I would like to vary the scale of the works, they need not be to the scale of the original art. I envisage Duchamps’ doll “Fountain” as a giant fabric piece that the audience could sit on and climb into.
The series of doll art works may be exhibited as if in a toyshop, in boxes with the manufacturer (the artist) acknowledged on the packaging, corporate logo included.
With versions of Tracey Emin’s Bed, Duchamp’s Fountain and Van Gogh’s chair I would create a whole art doll’s house.
I am currently planning a life-sized Grayson Perry doll with a range of clothes. The audience will be encouraged to dress and undress the artist.
Clearly I will need to seek funding and support for the more ambitious aspects of this project proposal particularly to finance collaboration with upholsterers and seamstresses for the larger works.
This is the working proposal. It is subject to adaptations and alterations as the project progresses.
For more information and images, please visit http://www.helendblackbird.co.uk/Fine_Art.html
