The Muse (Regrets & Redemptions) explores concepts of beauty, sexuality, identity, spirituality and the power to control it individually, culturally and in society.
Barbie is arguably the present-day representative of the perfect human form, similar to Michelangelo's David, but forgoing the proportions of antiquity for the modern era of beauty obsession, A.I. controlled everything and anything goes altered appearances.
She is not everyone’s idea of beauty, especially when you account for the myriad differences of human beings across the globe and throughout time, but she is meant to be by its creators and many of her admirers, and despite the critics it’s successful to that measure. She is a stereotype that somehow transcends surface reading. She’s unmistakably American, but like David, universally relatable and idolized.
The era of social sharing heralded in a cracked wide open dialogue of combative rhetoric on multiple fronts about rights and what exactly comprises beauty and identity, whilst at the same time, the norms of the last 50 years continue to sell the same ole' ideas unabashedly.
Being a single white female from the late 50’s dropped into the current age of artificiality, such as the ever present ‘marketing persona’ that prevails everywhere (despite a simultaneous global yearning for the genuine and sincere), it begs the questions:
Barbie can lure you into her world. She’s charming and easy on the eyes. She represents a genuine innocent sincere joie de vivre missing today as we all embark on our carefully marketed attention seeking tours.
PROJECT:
The Muse (Regrets & Redemptions) is a multi-media project comprising of photography and video, digital only elements (NFT), and a special limited run first edition book (a standard book form for wider distribution will be available in 2024).
DEVELOPMENT:
Development of the series began in August 2022 with what the artist calls "The Original 12" referring to the first images shot in his studio. The series 100 images were finalized by June 2023.
Formerly introduced by it's working title Barbie: Universal Icon, which was later shortened to Barbie U.I., it's now titled The Muse (Regrets & Redemptions) to coordinate and be synonymous with the upcoming book by the same title and it's 100 images.
Although many of the original intentions are still present, the overall conceptual nature of the project evolved beyond "Barbie as icon" and is no longer representative of that simpler and more narrow concept.
Barbie was always a muse and the series was never intended to be "about Barbie", which was intentionally obscured by the working titles while under development and later updated by the artist after finalizing the 100 photographs and book.
The series was developed in seven distinct parts, both photographically and by intent, with a cohesion manifest in the overall philosophical formation.
DISCLAIMER:
The Muse (Regrets & Redemptions) is a cultural, philosophical and artistic exploration by a professional artist for mature audiences only. Barbie the doll is a toy for children, and as such, the intent and purpose as a toy should in no way be confused or associated with this series.
FROM WIKIPEDIA:
Barbie is a fashion doll manufactured by American toy company Mattel, Inc. and launched on March 9, 1959. American businesswoman Ruth Handler is credited with the creation of the doll using a German doll called Bild Lilli as her inspiration. LEARN MORE
A NOTE FROM ROBERT PEREZ STUDIO™
Over the course of the remainder of 2023, all media will be updated with their new titles and associations to the series. We apologize for any confusion and if there are areas that get missed in the process of updating. The images in the series are finalized, so any collectors that have acquired prints can be assured that all parameters are still the same as when purchased with the exception of potentially adding new print types and sizes should the artist wish to add them in the future.
Click the link for available limited-edition prints. Contact the studio to inquire about special order large size prints.
