I went to see the Mark Ryden X Barbie Pink Pop! exhibit last weekend to get a look at the art and one-of-a-kind dolls. A small show, I managed to get photos of most everything so now you, too, can see. Although you’ll have to forgive some of the reflections, it was, as usual, a bright sunny day in L.A.
Inside Pink Pop!
Admittedly it was a little disappointing inside Pink Pop! but only because there wasn’t enough to see. The press release made it sound as though there would be several one-of-a-kind dolls by Ryden but there wasn’t. Other then the three limited versions for sale we shared with you from Mattel’s Capsule Collection there were only two; one of Ryden himself and The Nature Queen Barbie, a 12″ tall version of Ryden’s life size sculpture which stands in the center of the space.
The exhibit took place in one large open room. Partial walls divided the areas. On the furthest most back wall wonderful framed drawings and sketches featured both Barbie and common Ryden iconography such as bees, tree trunks, eyes, his yaks, and other anima.
The Paintings
As far as oil paintings of his, I was hoping to see more. There were five, but I only got decent photos of four.
A bronze sculpted Dodecahedron, another of Mark’s oft seen symbols, stood in front of the fifth painting which also featured the sculpture between the two Surrealist Dolls we showed you here..
Sculpture
The largest and central piece in the show was a sculpture of Barbie as the Nature Queen on a pedestal.
The One of A Kind Dolls
The one-of-a-kind Nature Queen doll is a miniature version of the sculpture. She wears an iridescent gown with beautifully hand-crafted animals and embroidered flowers. It shimmers like her crown made of real gold. As are her earrings.
The only other original doll is that of the artist, made for the video promos seen on both his and Mattel’s social media feeds as well as in the show.
The doll was framed and mounted in a corner where there were lots of fun examples of Ryden’s explorations when it came to designing the dolls for Mattel.
A video featuring the Mark Ryden doll was on a loop in the middle of the wall.
The Mattel Capsule collection of accessories and limited edition dolls are available for purchase inside the exhibition.
If you’re in the Los Angeles area, the show is up through December 11th.
Kasmin Pop Up Gallery:
8382 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles
Tuesday-Sunday 11 AM – 6 PM
The exhibit is open until 12/11.