Provocative Argentine exhibit of Barbies is pulled

A provocative art exhibit featuring Barbie dolls as religious figures such as the Virgin Mary and her boyfriend Ken as a crucified Jesus Christ has been cancelled amid complaints and threats by angry believers, the artists behind the collection said Friday. The exhibit called “Barbie: The Plastic Religion,” by Emiliano Paolini and Marianela Perelli, had been scheduled to open Saturday at the POPA gallery in Buenos Aires. But the pair said they decided not to put on the show of pop surrealism or “lowbrow” art so as not to offend people.

We have received threats from various parts of the world. It’s crazy … they have misinterpreted our work.

Emiliano Paolini

The 33 pieces in the collection include Barbie dolls dressed as the Virgin of Guadalupe, patron saint of Mexico, and Joan of Arc, as well as a blue Kali, the extra-armed Hindu goddess of destruction. Along with Christ on the cross, Ken is also portrayed as Buddha, St. Sebastian and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Paolini said he and Perelli chose the popular fashion doll for the project because “religion always represents Virgins with the most beautiful women; today the most beautiful woman is Barbie.”

We have a sanctuary in the kitchen that has more saints than the Vatican.

Paolini

Arts