Barbie®: The Exhibition @ The Design Museum, London
More than plastic, it’s fantastic!
Whilst I’ve always been Team Sindy, Greta Gerwig, Margo Robbie and Beauty Inside a Box have collectively convinced me that Barbie is iconic. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but channelling the Kenergy, I intrepidly went.
Encountering Barbie the Mod was a complete surprise. There was a lot of blingy plastic, but it was intriguing to see how the Barbie playsets and houses replicated architectural and interior design trends of the time. For example, Swinging London! And the first sets were cardboard….
On view are an array of dolls from the infamous or educational Growing Up Skipper to Peaches and Cream Barbie, and the original herself, pivoting in a case to better display her heels and cat’s eye sunglasses.
Fascinating to see was the diversity of Barbie — from black and brown to wheelchair users, a model with Down’s Syndrome, different heights and proportions, and the pregnant birthing Barbie, Midge! Not that you realise it at the time but there was a chandelier formed from Barbie hair hanging from the ceiling! Accompanying this is a fascinating series of videos of how Barbies are made from the lady who paints on Barbie faces to how the heads are be-wigged and styled, and a costume designed.
I loved seeing the many Presidential and Vice-President Barbies, as well as the Barbie encouraging us to vote, replete in an ‘I Voted’ t-shirt. This Barbie is responsible as can be seen from the cases of all her many careers and accompanying workplace accessories. Inspired by her recent movie fame, there was a Barbie clutching a tiny Barbie shaped Oscar, along with a camera operator, director and producer.
Displayed enticingly in long cases were all the tiny outfits with their very long alliterate names (feeling your pain here Ryan Gosling!) More garish was the array of plastic vehicles — almost planes, trains and automobiles. I definitely noted a camper van and picnic table, complete with lounging Barbie. Ofcourse there were the eye-popping Dream Houses, but also IKEA style, pastelly country arts and crafts and super modernist.
Overall I wish there had been a bit more about the interpretation of Barbie — the movie objects were limited to a poster, some fluffy pink mules and one of the skating outfits. Given how much of an impact the movie has had it would have been interesting to discuss at this end point, Barbie’s media image. It felt a bit thin and less was most definitely less.
However, there is a whole selection of Kens (including the Earring Magic edition). The Kens definitely got less love as there were so many historic Barbies to see — spend time with the Kens! It was fascinating to see how Ken’s physique and look had changed over time, what was considered appealing. Albeit that early Barbies, Kens and Alan were ready always to just beach, the display of out of this world Barbies was a wonder. Whirling about in a case are astronaut, flying and mermaid Barbies — oh my! You can also see the Samantha Cristoforetti Barbie who went into space with her!
Take the tube if you can as you’ll be greeted by the Barbie and Ken(sington) High Street sign exiting the station. Marshalling all the Kenergy, try an evening viewing as it’s calmer and less crowded.
Enjoyed reading this article?! Support my writing at: https://ko-fi.com/susanadventuresinculture
