The planned relaunch of religiously themed Barbie dolls in Argentina called “Jesus Ken” and “Barbie Virgin Mary” has sparked global outrage, especially among Buenos Aires Catholic groups, the birthplace of Pope Francis.
This relaunch comes after the international success of the “Barbie” movie, starring Ryan Gosling and Margot Robbie. It prompted the creators, local artists Marianela Perelli and Emiliano Pool Paolini, to reissue their controversial collection. Jam Press reported that the artists’ original “Barbie: The Plastic Religion” exhibit in 2014 received severe death threats for representing essential religious figures, including the Virgin Mary and Catholic saints, as dolls.
Despite the threats, at least one toy shop in Argentina has supposedly agreed to stock more models of the revived collection, with the artists planning the showcase the dolls in an art show in December, according to the New York Post. According to USA Today, the previous exhibit, “Barbie, The Plastic Religion,” drew anger worldwide. Priest Adrian Santarelli from St. Thomas More parish in Buenos Aires questioned the appropriateness of the dolls, saying their representation of sacred images may damage a child’s understanding of the holy.
It included Barbies depicted as the Virgin of Guadalupe and Joan of Arc, among others and Ken as Moses and Buddha. It avoided representing Muslim figures due to Islamic prohibitions of such depictions. In response to the controversy, the artists insist that the exhibit is purely artwork and not intended to offend. Paolini insists that the creations were “simply the union of the two most popular elements of history: the Barbie doll and religion.”
“Frankly, we don’t understand why we’re being attacked,” the New York Post quoted Paolini as saying. “Religion has always depicted virgins as the most beautiful women,” he added. “Today, the most beautiful woman is Barbie.” According to the organizers, the exhibit reportedly planned for December is expected to draw about 400 visitors, with police presence to ensure security.
Paolini said, “The reception to the revived collection is going well. We will take part in an art show with the stand dedicated to Plastic Religion where we will present 33 Barbie dolls, among other artwork.” Paolini and Perelli created the idea after seeing Day of the Day celebrations in Mexico. They argue that if there are Barbies representing various professions, why not a religious one?
The artwork has also provoked anger from Hindus in the past. Rajan Zed, a Hindu cleric in Nevada, criticized the “Barbie-fication of Kali” as inappropriate and out of place. However, Elina Aguilar, a retiree, and Hugo Fryszberg, an employee of the Buenos Aires government, defended the exhibit, noting that dolls of other religious figures have been sold without issue. Social media reactions to the revived collection are mixed.
One user labeled it an “international scandal,” while another accused the artists of infamously seeking fame.