Today we are honoured to be chatting with Canadian photographer Dina Goldstein, who you probably already know through her world-famous work, Fallen Princesses, a collection of photographs where the princesses in the fairy tales don’t end up as happy as we would expect.
In her new project, In the Doll House, she depicts the real and troubled love affair between Barbie and Ken through the use of drama and humour. She also ironically examines their sexuality, revealing the “real me” of the husband of the world’s most famous doll. If you want to learn more about the author of this work, just read on.
In The Dollhouse by Dina Goldstein
1) How did you become a photographer? Was it something you had planned or did it happen by chance?
I started photography at 23yrs; I was young and very eager. At the time I was surrounded by all kinds of artist; Musicians, actors , painters, photogs. I had a world of material to photograph. I set up a studio in my apartment and went for it.
I worked part time at a photo supply store and in my spare time photographed anything and everything. I could get discounts at the store on equipment and processing so it really helped me out. At the beginning I thought that I wanted to be a photojournalist so I traveled to Gaza and the Westbank in hopes of getting some good material that would help me break in. I came back from the Middle East with some good images and a new prospective. I soon realized that the sometimes isolated and often dangerous world of photojournalism was not for me. I am a people person and really need my friends and family around me. I think that it was good for me to understand that early on in my career. Instead I began to pursue editorial and conceptual photography, which was more suited for me.
In The Dollhouse by Dina Goldstein
2) Who has given you the best piece of advice? What was it?
Why not you? Why can’t you be the one to succeed in what you love to do?
3) What is the project you enjoyed doing the most? And the one you’re the most proud of?
I enjoyed and am proud of all of my projects as I put my heart and soul into creating them. They are like children that you love equally but in a different way.
In The Dollhouse by Dina Goldstein
4) List 3 things you couldn’t live without
My children, my family, my body.
5) About “In The Dollhouse”, what motivated you to create this project?
In the Dollhouse is just a progression of me following my two daughters Jordan now 7 yrs and Zoe 3 yrs.Playing with dolls is a way for girls to rollplay and pretend. I started thinking about the messages that they were receiving from their Ken and Barbie dolls. Of course Barbie is an impossibly proportional doll and Ken has become so effeminate that he is barely recognizable. I let my imagination go wild and created alternative worlds for these characters.
6) Finally, if you could partner up with an artist or publication, which one would it be? Why?
I would like to partner up with a creative force like Madonna….or shoot a whole issue for Interview mag….that would be fun!
Fallen Princesses by Dina Goldstein
Thanks a lot, Dina, for agreeing to answer our questions! Don’t forget, you can keep track of her on her Website, Facebook, Twitter, Vimeo and Youtube accounts.
All images courtesy of Dina Goldstein.
More info about In The Dollhouse at inthedollhouse.net
