By Emily Williams
The iconic and ever-evolving Barbie turns 60 this year – though she doesn’t seem to age.
To celebrate Barbie’s many contributions to pop culture and childhood memories, the Birmingham Museum of Art has welcomed the exhibit “Barbie: Dreaming of a Female Future.” The space is a life-sized “Dream House” as interpreted through the collaboration of a number of artists, the majority being female.
Before entering the dream house, the dichotomy of the exhibit presents itself in the signage.
On one side of the entrance there is the classic Barbie logo, glittery and white.
On the other side there is an art panel by Flat Vernacular artist Payton Turner. The piece showcases a colorful spectrum of Barbie’s shoes, mounted in a quilt pattern.
Much of the wallpaper found inside the “dream house” has been supplied by Flat Vernacular. A section of the back wall features pink and silver rhinestones in a basket weave pattern.
BMA Hugh Kaul Curator for Contemporary Art Hallie Ringle noted that it, as well as the quilt of Barbie shoes, hints at, “forms of labor that women engage in in the South that often never get recognized.”
Throughout the exhibit, contributing artists explore themes good and bad that Barbie evokes.
“We felt like everyone has their own individual relationship with Barbie, womanhood and gender, and we wanted to be able to express that here in the gallery,” Ringle said.
Some of the pieces explore the unrealistic image of beauty Barbie marketed. Her triumphs are also celebrated, including the toy’s ability to inspire imagination and Barbie’s efforts to break the glass ceiling by holding jobs in various male-driven careers.
President Barbie has been campaigning and earning her seat in the White House since 1992 – though she did take a break in 1996.
A tablescape featuring plastic food, candles and a cookbook references the definition of traditional gender roles, such as women as the homemaker.
“It’s also a reference to Ruth Handler, who was the inventor of Barbie,” Ringle said. “Her husband was an early pioneer of plastics and … he actually left his job to support his wife as she created Barbie. So, it’s a tribute to partnership and Barbie’s origins.”
Interact With Barbie’s Home
Guests are encouraged to play in the space and explore the interactive pieces that the exhibit has to offer.
One can spot their reflection at Barbie’s vanity, which is made from marble dust recycled from quarries; or flip through a touch screen of information at Barbie’s desk while sitting in a chair made from the recycled plastic of makeup cases.
At a bookshelf, there is a small library of literature – children’s books up to adult reading – that explores a variety of themes connected to the exhibit: toys, gender identity, femininity and more.
The hope is that people will pick up a book and stick around the exhibit a little longer to read and enjoy the space.
“The books were actually crowdsourced from a number of different people and artists,” Ringle said. “We just asked people what books were influential to their pattern of gender. We also read some articles about what’s great to read in 2019, especially here in Alabama.”
The vignettes of images, furnishings and wallpaper create an experience that is at times fun, humorous or reverent.
“We’re trying to have some more fun at the museum but also get to some really serious issues without beating people over the head with it, but with dignity and respect,” Ringle said.
Artists, designers and women-owned businesses who have contributed to the dream house are Aelfie, Addie Chapin, Calico Wallpaper, David Levinthal, Eskayel, Estudio Persona, Flat Vernacular, Greta de Parry, Grace Hartigan, Lauren Kelley, Kim Markel, Natalie Baxter, Quiet Town, Range Projects, Ruby Star Society, Sazerac Stitches, Sheila Pree Bright, Stray Dog Designs, Studio BOCA and Tamar Mogendorff.
The exhibit will be open for guests to visit and play through Jan. 26.
For more information, visit artsbma.org.
