Guys 'n Dolls
GUYS ‘n’ DOLLS: Art, Science, Fashion and Relationships
A major exhibition for Brighton Festival
Brighton Museum & Art Gallery 23 April – 12 June 2005
From Egyptian ‘Shabti’ ritual objects to Barbie and beyond, the many forms and functions of dolls across centuries and cultures raise issues about femininity, masculinity and social identity.
Guys ‘n’ Dolls explores how dolls have been used to reinforce and question the roles that men and women play in society. Included are exhibits not usually associated with the concept of the doll: mannequins, anatomical wax models, the ventriloquist dummy and ‘love’ dolls. The exhibition has three distinct themes: Fashion, Science and Relationships
Fashion examines the fashion doll as a cultural artefact from the 19th century up to the present. It challenges the idea that a mannequin is simply a figure used to display clothes and shows examples ranging from Man Ray’s photographs to ultra-real modern mannequins.
Barbie is compared with Bild Lilli – the original Barbie, based on a 1952 cartoon character who was classy, sexy and desirable.
Dolls within Science include anatomical models from the 18th and 19th centuries, and dolls used for life saving, crash tests and therapeutic diagnostics.
Relationships demonstrate how dolls have been used as objects of ritual from the ancient Egyptians to the present day. The concept of creating of the ‘perfect woman’ is also explored
Opening Times
Tues 10am – 7pm; Wed – Sat 10am – 5pm; Sun 2pm – 5pm. Closed Mon, except Bank Holiday Mondays
Tel: 01273 290900
