The relationship between these young American girls and their dolls is at once fascinating and upsetting, an effect that stems from their astonishing resemblance. Set-ups, matching clothes, and emotions play a major role in in the Polish-American photographer Ilona Szwarc’s World Press Photo Award-winning series. We see future American women personified by their “anti-” or “post-Barbies.” Each one of the dolls is a bit like their double, their twin, or an avatar if one wants to speak in more modern terms. Their appearance embodies certain values from contemporary culture and can influence the choices their owners make. In that sense, we can see a connection with Cindy Sherman’s work, or other similar artists that have turned an analytical eye on social and cultural phenomena and their influence on genres and thought.
This series was born in the street, the environment that has been Ilona Szwarc’s favorite photographic playground since she arrived in New York four years ago. Walking through the streets of this megalopolis made famous by movie scenes, she started noticing several young girls carrying dolls. Szwarc began researching the subject when she started taking photographs, and she quickly discovered that these objects could be customized to look like their owners even when the dolls came from the same mold. These are ‘luxury’ toys, and they are able to transition between a variety of different identities, from a nurse to a hairdresser, with the aid of miniature accessories. “They offer the illusion of choice and even the illusion of individuality”, says the Polish photographer. “They however play a crucial role in the development of these girls’ identities.”
“It is interesting to try and understand who is represented in these dolls and how,” says Szwarc, and rightfully so. This is where her work poses an important question in terms of the process of conceptualization the toy industry undertook in this particular case. On a larger scale, we can ask ourselves questions about childhood as a product of industry or Western society, not necessarily free to be reinvented. Maybe material influence is a fundamental base of our existence. American Girls does not provide concrete answers, but rather food for thought.
Jonas Cuénin
Note: This English version was translated from the French by Alexandra Torterotot and Matthew Leifheit.
Ilona Szwarc, American Girls
Until July 3rd, 2013
Foley Gallery
97 Allen St
New York, NY 10002
USA
(212) 244-9081
