Saturday, April 24, 2010

LA018 13



(Paper pulp, horse hair, Barbie dolls)
Inspired by the traditional Chinese fairytale about a woman’s transformation into the first silkworm, Barbie dolls are painted black and covered with paper pulp and horse hair to represent this metamorphosis. In rural China, where silk was cultivated, a silkmoth existed solely for human consumption. If it was allowed to live its full cycle, it would die immediately after pairing and eggs-laying. Otherwise, the cocoon would be boiled for the silk filament and the pupae eaten as protein. In some ways, the moth’s cycle of child-bearing and sacrifice and the lack of “self” and “choice” reminded me of how women used to live. Here, the Barbies are awakening and breaking out of their traditional mold.

The number thirteen purifies; it symbolizes the passage on to a higher level of existence, the eternal return. It is also representative of Mary.


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