The Quarantine Controller
Barbie dolls & Fishing line
2020
The feeling of being controlled is one in which we are all facing during this time. We are all being controlled and contained as if we are dolls, trapped in our dollhouses (except no one is wanting to play with us).
I chose to use my old barbie dolls to represent how we are all like dolls in this current situation. I also then chose to make the traditional puppet stick out of dolls as well since not only are we feeling like dolls but we are being controlled by ourselves and each other. Whether you take that as the government and global leaders restricting our distance and adopting new rules or those who are sick and spreading the illness. Either way, no one is in control of their own body. This virus is controlling everyone, therefore we are all trying to control each other.
side notes
when I first made this puppet controller my barbie looked too happy being hung by the others so I decided to make a little mask, which I find quite fitting since that is the current trending fashion accessory. I was thinking of having face masks on all the dolls. However, I feel that the piece is strong with the one.
Social distancing, only having one doll far away from the others, represents self-isolation.
The voice. This barbie once upon a time used to be able to sing and talk, as is displayed through the holes on her chest. However, as time has passed so has her battery life and voice tieing in a new representation of how our voices are unheard now, how our batteries are dying, and how we all feel although we are fading away as time is lost and days are fading like never before.
installation
if this were to be displayed, I would have it is an I have in these images below, white walls and silence with a slight breeze from an aircon to give the piece some movement.
before and after
video
inspiration
classmates responses
overall I think most thought that my piece was rather humorous and interesting. I received some very kind feedback and some new ideas of expansion for this project. We also noticed other links and different representations that could be found and tied into this piece such as the bonding between the four barbies and the broken voice box.
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