Download - Toys as Texts
Toys as TextsSummer Institute Workshop 2015
V. Vasquez
2014 18-22 Billion $$$
Toys represent the institutions of our society - as a microcosm
of the adult world. (Army, Medicine,Transport...)
Barthes, 1993
Sort through toy collection and identify social institutions
that are represented.
–Johnny Appleseed
“Type a quote here.”
Toys invite players to read and perform particular identities.
Wohlwend, 2009
What particular identities can be performed with
the use of the toys?
Players=children & adults
Explore Texts as Toys -critically read texts -unpack ideologies -redesign toys as counter narratives -redesign toys to make a statement
The Tree Change Dolls™ are the work of Tasmanian artist Sonia Singh. The dolls have been rescued and rehabilitated from op-shops and tip shops around Tasmania. These lil fashion dolls have been given a “tree change”, swapping their high-maintenance high-fashion habits for down-to-earth style. Sonia hand repaints the dolls faces, mold new feet or shoes, and my Mum sews and knits their clothing. (Video)
Tree Change Dolls
Nickolay Lamm Study
• Artist and researcher
• What would Barbie look like as an average woman?
• Took measurements of a typical 19 year old to recreate a normal Barbie.
• Who defines average? typical? normal?
• Who is privileged by the 'new' Barbie?
• Who is marginalized by the new Barbie?
• Who defines down to earth?
Re-designing toys with new social intent.
Re-designing toys for children to perform different identities.
Re-designing toys to disrupt problematic social inequities.
• What social issue does this toy represent?
• What message(s) does this toy convey? For whom is this message important?
• What identity(ies) might someone perform while playing with this toy?
• Doss this toy contribute to a microcosm of a societal institution?
• What work might this toy do in the world?
• From what perspective(s) am I re-designing this toy?
• Why do I want to re-design this toy? Who is my focal audience?
• Who might benefit from playing with this toy? Who might be harmed by this toy?
• What is this toy about?
• What ideals/ values/perspectives/ points of view are overt? implied?
• How might different people read this text? Who might these people be? What effect(s) might my toy have on them?
• What sources of information will I use in representing the social issue that is part of re-designing this toy?
Questions to ask Regarding the Original Toy
• What social issue will I address?
• What message do I intend to convey? Why is this message important to me?
• Does my toy contribute to a microcosm of a societal institution?
• What work might this toy do in the world?
• From what perspective(s) am I creating this toy?
• Why do I want to make this toy? Who is my focal audience?
• Who might benefit from playing with this toy? Who might be harmed by this toy?
• What is this toy about?
• What ideals/ values/perspectives/ points of view are overt? implied?
• How might different people read this text? Who might these people be? What effect(s) might my toy have on them?
• What sources of information did I use in representing the social issue I chose?
• What identity(ies) might someone perform while playing with this toy?
Questions to ask about my Re-designed Toy