Existing comment:
Barbie
For sixty years, Barbie has been a source of fun for millions of children, as well as a muse for artists, a metaphor for writers, and a subject of commentary for scholars. Levinthal embarked on a series depicting Barbie in fashions from the 1960s after he was asked to contribute to a book commemorating the fortieth anniversary of the famous doll. Using simple sets and punchy background colors, Levinthal simulated the look of fashion photography and advertising from the era. It was unlike any photo shoot the artist had done before or has undertaken since. Levinthal realized immediately that Barbie was too big, literally and figuratively, to obscure her identity with his signature blurring technique. Instead, he captured Barbie in sharp focus, amplifying the details that contribute to both her cult status and critical reception. |