The Barbie phenomenon, spanning over six decades, has left an indelible mark on our culture. It has been a source of inspiration, sparking imaginations, while also evoking strong criticism for its potential impact on body image, self-perception, and identity. Unlike traditional dolls, Barbie emerged as an adult figure, presenting a complete spectrum of allure and sexuality, thus embodying a symbol of beauty and desire. Barbie's world-building transcended mere play; it resembled the art of theater production and film direction, akin to the creative process behind staged photography. Barbie, in her own right, can be seen as an early physical avatar, foreshadowing the virtual avatars prevalent in today's digital realm. Even contemporary video games draw upon the imaginative foundations laid by Barbie. In this call, we invite photographers to explore the multifaceted world of Barbie, embracing both its positive and critical dimensions. Our upcoming exhibition will proudly feature the works of two distinguished anchor artists, Luca Gőbölyös (https://lucagobolyos.net) and Suzanne Nagy (http://www.suzannenagy.net) alongside carefully curated selections from the submissions we receive.

 

PH21 Gallery invites photographers to submit their work for a group exhibition themed Dolling up the lens: Barbie. We are looking for submissions from all photographers who are interested in this subject and would like to share their work with a wider international audience through the exposure of PH21 Gallery. The theme is broadly construed; we are looking for photographs that address the Barbie phenomenon from any angle. Indeed, we are interested in all possible creative photographic interpretations of the theme.

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Submission deadlines:

• Early bird deadline: October 9, 2023

• Final deadline: October 16, 2023

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Read more and submit your work here.

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