The Doll Motif

Paper Summary:

The paper explores the similarities and differences between Mike Kelley and Yoshitomo Nara's usage of the doll motif, and their true purposes in utilizing this unusual totem of popular culture. The paper explains that while Kelley employs the doll motif as a means of probing the nature of abjection, Nara's seems to be exploring adolescent alienation. The paper points out that Nara tends to favor static materials, such as paint, while Kelley's dolls are made of everything from fabrics to stuffed animals. The paper concludes by asserting that behind the work of both artists lies a certain amount of pain.

Outline:
The Abject: Mike Kelley
Totems of Adolescent Alienation: Yoshitomo Nara
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The motif of the doll features prominently in the work of both Mike Kelley and Yoshitomo Nara, two of the more famous contemporary artists whose playful deconstructions of the human figure probes questions of authenticity and artifice while simultaneously bowing to the supremacy of popular culture. While Mike Kelley employs the doll motif as a means of probing the nature of abjection, Yoshitomo Nara's prolific usage of the doll seems to be done for slightly different purposes - namely, as a means for exploring adolescent alienation. While the two artists certainly have a lot of similarities - the most obvious one being their mutual affinity for punk rock and their ties to various factions of the youth culture, as represented by their album cover art - it could also be said that they have profound differences as artists."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Besher, K. N.D., "Yoshitomo Nara," AssemblyLanguage, [Online] Available at: http://www.assemblylanguage.com/reviews/Nara.html
• Davis, B. 2005, "I Want My Mike Kelley," Artnet Magazine, [Online] Available at: http://www.artnet.com/magazineus/reviews/davis/davis11-16-05.asp
• Lewis, J. 2005, "The Last Great 20th Century Artist," Slate, [Online] Available at: http://www.slate.com/id/2131218/
• Saltz, J. 2005, "Clusterfuck Aesthetics," Artnet Magazine, [Online] Available at: http://www.artnet.com/magazineus/features/saltz/saltz12-7-05.asp
• "Speaking Volumes: 19 Interviews," November 2006, Art in America

More papers on The Doll Motif:

• Essay # 44411 : "The Doll's House"
• Analytical Essay # 129499 : "Characterization in Henrik Ibsen's "The Doll House"
• Analytical Essay # 57901 : "The Journey Motif in "Heart of Darkness"

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