Assembly language

Mannequins after makeup at a workshop in Kamal, Jakarta, Indonesia. Photo: Veri Sanovri (@verisanovri).

Lost in Translation

Miniature dolls heads on display at the City of London Dollshouse Festival at the Tower Hotel in London, United Kingdom. The festival showcases the top craftsmen and craft suppliers specialising in all areas of miniatures and model-making. Photo: Vickie Flores/Alamy Live News.

The Dawn of the New Cycle

A worker assembles a pleasure doll at the WMDoll factory in 中山 (Zhōngshān), 广东省 (Guǎngdōng province), China. The factory counts more than 200 full-time staff workers, and claims to produce AI-powered handcrafted dolls, even if, for now, the AI’s soul is still very basic as they can whisper a few words and move eyes and arms, but cannot yet hold long conversations. Photos: 阿里宋 (Ālǐ Sòng)/Reuters.

Love Wins

• Anna Livsey, Barbie comes out in support of same-sex marriage, The Guardian, November 29, 2017

The superstar fashion doll appeared to come out in support of equal marriage in an Instagram post promoting a collaboration with the fashion blogger Aimee Song. The post shows Barbie and a new friend – a doll version of Song – wearing matching T-shirts with the pro-marriage equality slogan “Love Wins” emblazoned across the front. The shirts are mini replicas of ones Song released for Pride month, the proceeds of which go to a not-for-profit supporting LGBTQ youth. Credit: Barbie® (@barbiestyle) © Mattel.

Lookin’ for love in all the wrong places

Alberto Alicata, Italy Professional; Staged Alicata honours iconic images by the great masters, using symbols of contemporary western culture, in this case Barbie. Photo: Alberto Alicata/Sony World Photography Awards.

Hijarbie

• Stephanie Busari, The hijab-wearing Barbie who’s become an Instagram star, CNN, February 8, 2016

Photos courtesy of Hjarbie (Instagram)