Dolldom: February 2019

Last September 2018, The Numina's Discophelia event bore a rich harvest of photos on social media. Among the many reveals at the annual event, hosted by sculptor Paul Pham, were two new characters, the artist's first venture into the world of the doll-coded-as-male. And Dolldom took note. In fact, Dolldom went on high alert as it was - even in photos - palpable that the artist was not only making the ultimate accessory for his uniquely gorgeous and racially diverse female counterparts; these personnages, Aurum and Argent, were coming to life at a time when masculinity and femininity are being redefined by non-patriarchal standards and in the same way that gender binarism is no longer the norm.

And what are these new standards? We hope that any new standard is applicable to all human beings: empathy, patience, nurturing, attention to detail, spirituality. At the very least, these are the qualities with which The Numina's Argent is being gifted as he is welcomed to Dolldom. His face and body - his outward appearance - and what we as dollectors code by our own set of standards, will be perceived differently - just like beauty is the eye of the beholder. But as we continue to examine and explore the new options Argent will be our guide.

Argent's face (he identifies as male and his pronouns are he/him/his) has a special quality, perhaps what Susan Sontag calls "the haunting androgynous vacancy behind the perfect beauty of Greta Garbo." Depending on the angle, the identity reveals itself: deep in thought, solemn, intense. Argent has a mission and the agency to undertake a plan. His body is a sensitive examination of sinuous musculature developed via physical activity: "mens sana in corpore sano".

In this first feature, Argent takes the time to play basketball, to wear a skirt (a kilt is nothing but), and to show off the beauty of garments that have become part of the lexicon of universal fashion: classics that anyone can (and in Dolldom's view should) wear.