I have a question about creating culturally specific dolls. I’ve been working on a doll that is styled as a baby from an Indian (middle eastern) background. I have a friend from India that I have consulted closely the entire way - for clothing, styling, photos, etc. It would kill me to step on someone’s toes creating this baby. I love the Indian culture and style and find it incredibly beautiful and fascinating. However, I need that to come across as honoring to that culture and not appropriating or offering disrespect. My friend finds everything I have done to be on the up and up and sees no issue with it. But…
My sister says I am creating my own “It’s a Small World” and I never thought of it that way…but I do like that idea - of honoring all cultures and trying to represent diversity in dolls. On the other hand, I feel like I’ve heard folks boycotting It’s a Small World because they find it wrong. ??
ACK! I love this baby. I’ve had her done since October minus her hair which I’m still waiting on. (A wig that’s been lost in the holiday shuffle three times now. LOL!) I did a boy that matches her over the summer as a custom - for the wife of my friend from India as a thank you for helping me on the idea. My intentions were to list my girl in November, but with the wig not being here, I haven’t done her final photo shoot.
Recently, someone posted their prototype of Baby Lore done in an Indian styling, which has made me second guess mine. For one thing, I don’t want the artist to think I am copying her. Mine was, in honesty, done before I ever saw hers…and I know that, but no one else would. So I don’t want to step on HER toes. And second, some of those Indian styled photos have been taken down, and I wonder if people started saying negative things.
I’m really torn on this one. What’s everyone else’s thoughts?
I don’t know how many times I have painted a baby that I had no idea that some one had done something similar. Or someone has taken my idea and beat me to the punch or someone has done a baby similar to mine. It is the nature of the Art business.
Don’t overthink and show us your baby, I can’t wait to see!!!
I think it’s only wrong if you’re creating a caricature, or make fun of a culture. If you make an effort to make it look authentic, which you have definitely done, then I see no issues.
I think different cultures should be celebrated and shared.
You’re way overthinking this. Just let it be. Who would know better than your Indian friend who thinks it’s fine? If you worry that you’ll offend somebody, somewhere, with every doll you make, you’ll suck all the joy out of reborning. Can we see a picture of her?
I don’t know how anybody can think ‘It’s a Small World’ is wrong. (Other than the fact you can’t get the song out of your head for a year. lol) I think it’s a beautiful tribute to cultures around the world. It’s one of my favorite things at Disneyland.
Supposedly the thing with IaSW is that it’s too much of a caricature of the cultures. i.e. “stereotypical” dress, physical features, etc. Personally, it was always one of my favorites because it showed so many cultures. Different isn’t bad! And showing differences isn’t always creating division.
I don’t like it that people are trying to erase our differences instead of embracing them. I think not acknowledging and honoring differences creates more division. Are we all supposed to have exactly the same fashions, foods, and cultural and religious beliefs? Boring. That said, ridiculing or bullying because of differences is never okay.
Thanks to each of you for responding! I’m such a worrier. I really appreciate your thoughts on this. I will take some photos of her tomorrow in her newborn ceremonial outfit and post them here.
I personally think your baby will turn out beautiful and you should not overthink it that much, but I do recognize we live in a cancel culture and “everything” is appropriation now a days. I don’t think you should worry about another artist already making an Indian baby, there doesn’t need to be only one “token” Indian baby. Also, there are tons and tons of Caucasian and AA babies and other artists don’t feel like people are copying. It’s refreshing to see other races/ethnicities that should be represented in the reborn community as well. I’m excited to see your baby and you should not feel bad at all
Is It’s a Small World about midgets? Sorry if that is not a politically correct term. If it is, I think it is great! I do not watch TV, but I do see some of them on YouTube. I think they are fine. It shows us inside another way of being and living.
Also, I love all people, so the dolls don’t offend me. If the alternatives don’t offend anyone (as far as I know they do not) then a baby from any race should not bother anyone.
Also, I watch YouTube videos of all kinds of people who have rare conditions, etc. It sometimes messes up their anatomy and makes them look so very different. But, the are smart, funny, all kinds of great qualities.
God made every skin color equally beautiful, and we shouldn’t let negative people or those who want to divide us all have a say in it. We should celebrate them all in art.
That’s garbage----the dolls in It’s A Small World all have the same face!! What the heck is peoples problems? I’m so tired of people trying way to hard to find something WRONG with EVERYTHING just so they can create an issue!!!
Cultures around the world are something we all understand and enjoy to learn about, what’s the problem? JMO
I’m old so I just don’t have the patience for this crap!
p.s. I was referring in the quote to the “physical features” which I failed to include in the quote I copied.
And second, some of those Indian styled photos have been taken down, and I wonder if people started saying negative things.
I will take some photos of her tomorrow in her newborn ceremonial outfit and post them here.
