The world is certainly full of unusual people. I was randomly reminded of this a few weeks ago. I was passing through Chattanooga and had an opportunity to stop at this really cool thrift store "area" - a large parking lot surrounded by about seven different thrift stores.
I couldn't pass that up!
So, with about an hour to go before all the places closed, I picked the biggest place and started wandering. And there was all the cool stuff I expected. But then I saw one of the most random booths I've ever seen.
Remember, I've been to A LOT of thrift stores. And one of the fun things about the big "malls" is the variety of vendors - sometimes mixed in with the vintage resellers you find interesting artisans. And this was one interesting artisan.
So, the entire booth consisted of "objets d'art" made from plastic doll parts. And it was loaded. Here are a few of the "highlights":
This was a pretty large "art piece."
I wonder where you'd put it?
In an empty chair at your dining table?
Here is a fully functional doll body lamp. (With no clothes, but a pearl necklace. What do you think the artist is trying to say here?)
I can't remember if this chandelier was actually functional or just for "style"...
Here were Barbie heads on water bottle caps...I guess you can switch out your boring old bottle cap for something more interesting...
There were also doll head night lights...
And a "special" jar, what you'd store in it, I'm not sure...
And, finally.
there were Barbie head rings, in case you're feeling a little too elegant, and want to take it down a notch.
(Note there were eyeball rings for sale as well.)
I don't often find myself speechless, but this booth left me feeling that way. I had SO MANY questions. Who is this doll artist? And is this meant to be taken tongue-in-cheek, or is this stuff crafted in the dark basement of his parent's house by a lonely guy who also collects knives?
Does the artist wear his/her own Barbie head jewelry? If so, what are they wearing it with?
What does the artist keep in his/her doll head jars? (Hopefully not human teeth or toenail pieces.)
This huge part of me would really, really, really love to see the home of this "artist" - I mean, it's got to be a fascinating place, right? But another part of me wonders if I'd make it out alive.
I like to think I can appreciate quirkiness. I think I have a sense of humor.
I was still taking it all in when two girls cruised by. "OMG I LOVE THAT BOOTH!" one exclaimed. "I always stop there." "Me too!" responded the other enthusiastically. (I also noted that neither one stopped there or bought anything.)
I probably spent too much time in contemplation at the doll parts booth. I only had an hour. And I did not buy anything.
Alas, the chandelier in my dining room remains doll head-free. Perhaps I missed an opportunity. Maybe I take dinner time too seriously. It's definitely a possibility.
But great art is supposed to be provocative, no? It's supposed to raise questions, is it not? If that's the standard of success, I have to admit he/she achieved it. As far as the artist's commercial success, I have no idea. Either way, he's probably down in his parent's basement gluing a doll torso to an old vacuum cleaner right now. Vive l'art!
