Mattel Gives Barbie Wondrous Makeovers By Pop Surrealist Artist Mark Ryden
Mattel’s Barbie steps into the surrealist world of artist Mark Ryden in this new collaboration that sees the iconic doll taking on a new form of style for a collection called ‘Pink Pop’.
The process begins with a mix of 3D modeling to conceptualize the direction the figurines would take. Next, wax molds were placed in an electroplating tank to create a metal mold. This process was used to fabricate the heads, animals, and other accessories.
Since the project is titled after Barbie’s signature color, the center of the collection is, predictably, ‘Pink Pop Barbie’. Themed in the titular candy hue, she sports wavy hair, alabaster white skin, and a dress bejeweled with candies, stars, and hearts.
In her box, she stands amidst a pink-tinted world with eyes, animals, and flower pots made of heads sprouting around her.
Next in line is ‘Bee Barbie’. Instead of the classic “pretty-in-pink” approach, this doll is a whimsical take on what Barbie would look like if she were a literal queen bee. She wears a full-length fuzzy black and yellow gown, and her hood—or hair, as Mattel claims it to be—is of the same material. On her back are a pair of transparent wings.
The moodiness of the piece is tied together with her goth-inspired eyeshadow, black lipstick, and ashen, almost blue-colored skin.
Following her is a set of two dolls titled ‘Barbie at the Surrealist Ball’. This piece follows a pair dressed in black and white gowns as they head to a party perfectly cast from Ryden’s imagination. Between them stands a dodecahedron ornament brandished with eyes.
Lastly, we have ‘Nature Queen’, a green-haired Barbie that wears a long gown with the mounts of 30 different 3D animal heads dotting her dress. This particular iteration is unique because it is the only one not being sold and will be showcased solely at the Pink Pop exhibit.
The figurines will be shown at the Kasmin Gallery in Los Angeles from November 11 to December 11. If you want to add a little pop of surrealism to your collection, the dolls cost between US$150 and US$500.
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[via Boing Boing and Mattel Creations, images via Mattel Creations]
