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