 |
In Autumn 2000, a collection of twenty one-of-a-kind Mdvanii dolls were presented by Sumiko Watanabe in Tokyo, This collection was called INTRO SPECTRUM and it marked, in its own small-scale way, a brand new era for Mdvanii and a definitive turning point in her artistic evolution.  Mdvanii, who is going to celebrate her 16 years of existence in 2005 has always been the most atypical of all dolls, an "exquisite hybrid" as defined by a devoted collector in a recent feature article in a doll's magazine. Mdvanii goes on her way, walking smoothly with the guidance of the invisible strings held by her two pygmalions, BillyBoy* and Lala, towards a predictible future of animation and endless kaleidoscopic metamorphosis. Mdvanii is never where you would expect her to be and nevertheless, ever so loyal: to love and friendship, to the spirit of her debuts and what makes her so special: her own fascinating mystery.
For this enigmatic creation which has been transcending the high fashion doll concept for years, the reference to "haute couture" never sounds like a dirty word or an abused, tired old concept. "When I hear the word "haute couture", I grab my whip! I am in stitches when I just hear the mention of haute!" says Mdvanii. A whip, oh my, my, my....Let's bet that in her delicate porcelain hands it will not appear as anything trivial or vulgar, but as a sophisticated accessory...of hard-edged seduction. So, Is the doll world ready for a little discipline (on page5). AYOR! Maximilien Shrimp October 2004. The Original Presentation Text of the Intro Spectrum Collection To mark the first summer of the 21st-century, BillyBoy* and Lala have created “Intro Spectrum”, a collection of ultra-visionary high fashion couture of which the recurrent themes are: cyber surrealism “organic” bras and corsets, glove gown, ants, soft or fake accessories, references to the “soft-boiled” and “melting”, cannibalism and recycling fashion, transparency, wool associated with silk, lace and raffia. Fetish boots, sexiness, and a total new direction for make-up and hairdos, introducing the “De Shave” concept, trim, wool, feather and even gold chain hairdos. Mdvanii says it and there is no way back: 1940’s Hollywood kitsch is SUCH a bore and so is the too commonly used word “glamour”! Retro kitsch must leave us alone and hopefully die once and for all! Kitsch may be fine for some tawdry commercially-made plastic dolls, for what else have they to give except those tired, old clichés of the past?
When Mdvanii uses references to the past, she transcends them to express the Here and the Now as well as exemplifying a projection of a vision of the future. This is the concept of cannibalism in fashion. She NEVER contents herself in reproducing kitsch images of the overly-sentimentalized past. Thusly, Mdvanii reigns supreme in making the clear distinction between retro kitsch and true creation!
A poem sealed in her head Mdvanii is a work of art, a “sculpture with a lifestyle”. As a symbol of her soul, and for the first time in Mdvanii’s world, a poem from Belgian poet René Lyr, has been placed inside the head of each one of these unique dolls.
ARTHEMIS
In the forest the water in the fountains
has reflected the fresh image
forbidden to human visions
of the wisest and most beautiful one.
Run away, poet, who caught her
behind the thin shelter of the birch tree
her heart dancing like a lily of the valley’s
bell trembling in the breeze.
For in you the secret of things
accomplishes the future decree
which will keep you forever pure
throughout the metamophosis>.
|  |