Barbie: Dreaming of a Female Future opens this weekend, and after seeing the reaction on social media, it’s clear you are just as excited as we are! The exhibition takes a critical look at Barbie on the occasion of her 60th anniversary. In the past six decades, Barbie’s many careers and enduring independence have influenced the dreams and imaginations of young people around the world. At the same time, her impossible appearance promoted narrow and unattainable body ideals. This exhibition offers an immersive experience where visitors can explore their relationship with Barbie through a reimagined, modern dream house.
Before your visit, here are six things you should know about Barbie: Dreaming of a Female Future.
- Limited timed tickets are available during Opening Night. Barbie: Dreaming of a Female Future opens to the public during Art On The Rocks on August 9, but due to capacity limitations in the gallery, only 20 people will be allowed to enter at one time. To ensure that as many guests as possible can experience the gallery during opening night, we will use a timed ticket system. Tickets will be available on a first come, first served basis. Guests will visit the Barbie ticketing station in the Museum’s lobby to pick up a ticket for a reserved entry time. One ticket per guest. There is no extra charge to claim a ticket.
Don’t worry if Barbie tickets run out during Art On The Rocks! The exhibition opens to the public for free on Saturday, August 10, and will remain open through January 26, 2020. You’ll have plenty of time to visit again! Keep in mind, Art On The Rocks is designed for a 21+ audience. - Barbie’s dream house is set in one gallery. Barbie: Dreaming of a Female Future offers a reimagined, modern dream house in a 740-square-foot gallery. In taking the place of Barbie in her home, visitors can consider their own relationship with the doll and the ways in which she may have impacted their perceptions of self. The space is broken up into a series of small vignettes of Barbie’s home.
- The exhibition doesn’t feature Barbie dolls. This isn’t an exhibition about Barbie or her history, but instead highlights artists’ interpretations of Barbie. For example, Sheila Pree Bright’s photography examines the limited standards of beauty that Barbie represents. Lauren Kelley’s video creates narratives for Barbie as she explores racial identity. These works and others are displayed on the dream house walls.
- The dream house is an immersive space for all ages. It highlights the importance of imagination and functions as a welcoming space, one where everyone– people of all genders, sexualities, and identities– can come to dream of a female future. Visitors are encouraged to borrow a book from Barbie’s bookshelf, take a seat on her couch, and hang out around her dining table. Make yourself at home! We just ask that you please not touch the art on the walls.
- The dream house is created by artists and interior designers Studio BOCA. From whimsical wallpaper to imaginative furniture, the exhibition is furnished with objects created by women artists and makers that bring the space to life. A digital lookbook will be available on iPads in the gallery offering more information about each object.Participating artists, designers, and women-owned businesses include: Aelfie, Addie Chapin, Calico Wallpaper, David Levinthal, Eskayel, Estudio Persona, Flat Vernacular, Greta de Parry, Grace Hartigan, Lauren Kelley, Kim Markel, Natalie Baxter, Quiet Town, Range Projects, Ruby Star Society, Sazerac Stitches, Sheila Pree Bright, Stray Dog Designs, Studio BOCA, and Tamar Mogendorff.
- Photos are encouraged. We love seeing your Museum photos on social media and can’t wait to see what creative photos you snap in the dream house! Tag @bhammuseum and we’ll repost some of our favorites.