Beyond Barbie: Dolls, Dress and
Culture in Global Perspective
April 9, 2008 – January 9, 2009
Caribbean
Bolivia
Bermuda
An exhibition of more
than 100 dolls in native dress from 60 different
countries around the globe opens April 9th in
the Temporary Exhibit Gallery of the Museum of Cultural
and Natural History at Central Michigan University.
The exhibition is
composed of a selection from over 300 dolls recently
acquired from the estate of Barbara Bissot. Dr. Bissot
taught at CMU from 1962 to 1992, first as a fourth grade
at the university lab school and then in the elementary
education department of the School of Education. Dr.
Bissot took an overseas trip nearly every year between
1974 and 2006, seeking out hand-made dolls crafted by
local artisans wherever she went. True to her values as
an educator, Bissot purchased dolls, not as playthings,
but to typify local traditions, be ethnically true and
representative of the country.
The dolls’ clothing
provides evidence of local cultural traditions as well
as textile technologies and style. Many of the dolls
present everyday wear while others present the clothing
worn for special events or holidays, both religious and
secular. Many of the dolls are clothed in costumes
representing national traditions, regional or social
identity or local occupations. Some are “character
dolls” illustrating traditional stories or folktales.
Examining these dolls
from around the world, museum visitors will learn
first-hand of the variety of ways humans express their
diverse values and common experiences through something
we all understand, clothing.
In addition to the
display of dolls, Beyond Barbie includes a
children’s educational activity room, a website and
special tours.
Belgium
Argentina
China
