We, at Mimi Berlin can’t believe that you are 60 years old as of today. You don’t look a day over 18, in our opinion.
The famous 3-D doll was created by Ruth Handler, co-founder of Mattel, in 1959. She named Barbie after her daughter Barbara.
(all images including desciptions of the dolls via mattel.com)
Just like the first years, Barbie is still received with skepticism by both the toy-industry, as well as some feminists all over the world nowadays. Women who hate Barbie do so because she is the stereotype of the so-called ‘perfect woman’ especially her body-measurements, which are out-of-this-world, are preceived to be sexist. But you must know that Barbie has about 180 careers, from registered nurse to astronaut to babysitter. Also, she was created to offer choices to girls and give them “endless storytelling possibilities”. That was of course in the 1960s when women weren’t seen as equal to men as today. Anyhow, we, at Mimi Berlin, love Barbies.
The Barbie of today is nothing like the first doll, she’s not the one-trick pony anymore. Modern Barbie comes in all kinds of bodytypes and skincolors. Mattel even produces famous Barbie look-a-likes, like for instance, an X-files agent Dana Scully doll or a Frida Kahlo doll (from the inspiring women collection). Below more examples of which type you can buy, if you are really interested, we suggest you visit the Mattel site to view the whole range of toys for kids and adults.
Designer: Kelley Lindberg Label: Black Label® Release Date: 07/30/2018 Body Type: Curvy Collector Facial sculpt:Ibtihaj Muhammad Fashion: Jacket, pants, bodysuit Fashion Sewn On?: No Accessories: Nike shoes, face mask, glove and sabre.
The reproduction of the original 1959 #1 Ponytail. The ”35th Anniversary Barbie® doll’ released in 1994 with a ‘vintage repro bodytype’
Designer: Caroline DeMersseman Collection: Anniversary Dolls Label: Black Label® Release Date: 1/11/2019 Body Type: Model Muse Facial sculpt: Grace Collector: 55287 Fashion: Removable fashion with snap closures Eyelashes: Painted
Label:Gold Label® Designer: Bill Greening Release Date: 3/6/2019 Body Type: Vintage with holes in feet Facial sculpt: Vintage Barbie Eyelashes: Painted Fashion: Top, jacket, skirt, heels Fashion Sewn On?: No Customization: Painted fingernails & toe polish Included with doll: Glasses, earrings, portfoio with 2 fashion sketches
Read and see more about Barbie and Haute-Couture here on this blog
Belgian artist, poet and filmmaker Marcel Broodthaers (1924-76) loved Oeufs and Eggs, he used many of them as a subject for his paintings and installations in the 1960s.
We made a little collection out of some of his works containing Oeufs/eggs. These works, in white, are part of collections of various museum’s of modern art from allover the world. (see below)
“All is eggs. The world is an egg. The world is born of the great yolk, the sun.”
-– Marcel Broodthaers,1966.
(Oeufs (Eggs), Marcel Broodthaers, 1966, collection S.M.A.K)
The image above is part of the ‘Broodthaerscabinet’: a space that museum S.M.A.K. in Brussels has created for the presentation of the works by Broodthaers from the museum’s collection. The cabinet will be opened through 02.09.18.
Marcel Broodthaers was also intrigued by Moules/Mussels besides eggs. If you’re interested read all all about that here Marcel-Broodthaers
(images via moma.org / museoreinasofia.es / moma.org / christies.com / smak.be )
Let’s follow up on yesterday’s post about Mimi Berlin SenioR’s 1960s Marriage Pictures More came to light about the interior of the small attic he lived in. This Large poster ‘Phi Zappa Crappa’ was pinned to the wooden toilet door at the attic of Mimi Berlin SenioR. The toilet was very small, the door was open a lot of times, so this fierce, brown poster could also be seen many times. Memories, light the corners of our minds, they do!
(image via pinterest.com/pin/305330049708141862/)
There isn’t much information on the graphic design. It is said that many, maybe millions, of variations of the first poster, first made by photographer the Robert Davidson (at the Royal Garden Hotel, London, in 1967) are scattered around the globe. According to the Independent Zappa said about the result of the photo session “They almost immediately gained cult status, a sentiment echoed by Zappa himself in 1983, when stating, “I’m probably more famous for sitting on the toilet than for anything else.” We, at Mimi Berlin, think the latter isn’t true : what do you think; is Frank Zappa more famous for his music or not?
Mimi Berlin SenioR dug up this old marriage photo album, and believe it or not; yes, these are wedding pictures, honestly! The story goes as follows. Mimi Berlin SenioR was all dressed up, almost ready to pick up his bride (also Mimi Berlin SenioR) from her parental home for the ‘ceremony’. But first he had to poke up the fire to add some warmth to the small attic (multitasking here: smoking ànd poking) they would call their Home. Nice detail are the very new shiny pots and pans on the shelf in the kitchen area in the background, must have been THE wedding gift.
(photocredits: Henk v/d Vet)
This is Minimal Living Galore in The Netherlands of yesteryear! The heater runs on coal, which you had to set on fire with matches (and probably a newspaper or something like that). The coal had to be stored in-house. Mind you; Mimi Berlin SenioR lived in a small attic so that must have been quite the ordeal. Un imaginable these days, ain’t it!
Bobbie Gentry wrote and recorded the wonderful song, Ode to Billie Joe, in 1967. We, at Mimi Berlin, can’t get enough of this 1960s not-your-average-country-&-western song. It’s about how daily life goes (on) in a little community in the south part of the USA. The way Bobbie Gentry performs is breathtaking.
Hope you like it too! xoxo
(Bobbie Gentry in 1967 Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images via rollingstone.com)
(clip shared from FromTheBasement at youtube.com)
Read all about Bobby Gentry HERE at Rolling Stone Magazine online.
It was the third of June, another sleepy, dusty Delta day I was out choppin’ cotton and my brother was balin’ hay. And at dinner time we stopped and walked back to the house to eat. And Mama hollered out the back door “y’all remember to wipe your feet”. Continue reading
