Ceci n'est pas (seulement) une poupée

We at Dolldom are of the opinion that there is nothing but pleasure in being surrounded by dolls. And while many enjoy living, cooking, shaving, dressing up and sleeping in the company of their dolls, others prefer to devote a separate space that functions as a realm of dolly delight.

But when codes are challenged and, as a result, broken, our consciousness evolves and appreciation for expression via the doll form augments. For it is not everyday that the dollector can combine doll and décor in a harmoniously seamless manner. 

Hvala Dolls' Mi is such a code breaker. Although very much a doll, Mi is designed to express a message of universal appeal: humanity (as young as it is) is being studied by an older (more experienced) form of intelligence. Mi is an intergalactic traveler who with every OOAK iteration brings an invitation to ponder such an illuminating and humbling idea. 

In this Dolldom entry, two Mi dolls hang out among a collection of vases. Two are Puerto Rican ceramic vessels designed to evoke the Cemí of Taíno people in the Caribbean. The third is a Jonathan Adler minimalist creature. As if trying to be incognito, the Mi and the vases function as observers that we, in turn, observe, perhaps completing a circle. But is it truly complete when, in the background, we discover eyes watching us watching Mi?   

Visit Mi by Hvala Dolls

Mi and their clothing by Hvala Dolls

Calling Occupants

Back in the 1960s, when the prospect of space exploration filled puerile imaginations with the immensity of the universe, toy manufacturers did not take long to produce fanciful lines that brought extraterrestrial life forms to the hands of thunderstruck tots. In 1967, the Mini-Martians, by Swedlin and sold exclusively at Sears, made their appearance.

In1969, Mattel debuted the Kozmic Kiddles...

Nostalgia feeds the heart and any grown-up 60s kid still entertains the thought of having their very own close-encounter of the third kind. Which is why, with Hvala Dolls' Mi  a new space odyssey has begun!

 

PJ Nox, creator of Hvala Dolls and Mi explains: "Mi is an 11-inch collectible art doll whose mission it is to explore the far reaches of identity (human and otherwise) in a seriously playful manner. Mi (pronounced Mee) is made of laser-sintered nylon with joints at the neck, shoulders and hips. Mi is strung, with ball joints at the shoulder that enable the arms to rotate front to back and sideways. Legs and head have basic rotation. Mi’s head is removable, making it easy to swap different styles you might collect. The doll can stand on its own."

Mi immediately struck a chord with Dolldom and became a beloved denizen, albeit one who is most often spotted taking notes on our behavior, calibrating intergalactic travel instruments, and measuring spatial options for traversable wormholes, all while being quite chic in their OOAK clothing, also by Hvala Dolls. 

For those interested in connecting with Mi, the next preorder is scheduled to start in November. Those who are interested can contact Nox now through Instagram, or at  hvaladolls@gmail.com.

Hvala Dolls Boutique 

Hvala Dolls Instagram 

Mi Art Doll's Official Site