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Polina VoloshinaThe artist who created the Mukla doll
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Polina Voloshina: The Creator of "Mukla" Dolls
Polina Voloshina is a talented artist and designer who has gained recognition for her unique creations, specifically the "Mukla" dolls. These dolls have become a new trend among Muscovites, known for their eccentric appearance and mysterious stories.
At just 14 years old, these dolls stand at a height of 40 cm and weigh 1 kg. They are jointed dolls that were brought to life by the imagination of Polina Voloshina. Initially, Polina released a series of 6 dolls, but she has recently expanded her collection to include 5 more. Currently, there are 11 dolls in total, all of which will be showcased at the "Dolls of the World" exhibition from March 7th to 11th at the Central Exhibition Hall in Manezh, Moscow.
When asked about the origin of the word "Mukla," Polina explained that the name was suggested by Artemy Lebedev, a member of the design studio they were working in. Initially, they had not thought about the name as the main focus was on creating the dolls. However, when the time came to release the dolls, they needed a name and "Mukla" seemed fitting. Little did they know at the time that "Mukla" would become a separate direction in the doll industry.
Polina was also asked how she differentiated her dolls from the popular Barbie dolls. She explained that they were not initially inspired by Barbie dolls but rather by Japanese jointed dolls. These dolls were not widely known in Russia, so it was unnecessary to compete with Barbie dolls. Furthermore, the quality of the Mukla dolls surpassed that of traditional dolls as each piece was meticulously crafted by hand. Although they fall into the category of collectible dolls, they are still available for purchase in stores, making them accessible to a wider audience.
Polina noted that their target audience was primarily adults. The concept of beauty portrayed by the Mukla dolls is unconventional, as they have a distinct appearance with prominent cheekbones and wide-set eyes. Polina was inspired by models like Natalia Vodianova, who had unique facial features. While some may find the dolls unattractive, Polina believes that the fashion industry often presents new faces that are perceived as exceptionally beautiful by some but not by others.
To add depth and personality to the dolls, Polina and her team decided to create individual biographies for each of them. This idea was suggested by Linor Goralik, who proposed the concept of a private school where all the dolls could live together. The dolls' stories are set in a gloomy world, in a town called Millver-Oaks, with a school that is a cross between a mental institution and a prison. Each doll's story reveals that their parents abandoned them due to their unusual nature, causing them to be sent to this closed private school. The girls reside there until they turn 18, after which they mysteriously disappear. Suspicious of the school's true intentions, the girls start counting down the days until their 18th birthday.
All these intriguing details are shared through blog entries written by the dolls themselves. Each doll has her own blog, where she shares news and interacts with the other dolls through comments. The dolls even have user profile pictures and share photographs, making them seem almost lifelike. Polina believes that it would be physically impossible to write daily blog entries for all 11 dolls, so she plans to turn their stories into a book in the near future. She also mentions the possibility of adapting their stories into a television series, as the mystical tales of 14-year-old girls in a private school would surely captivate audiences.
Polina Voloshina's creativity and attention to detail have brought her immense success with the "Mukla" dolls. Through their unique appearance and captivating stories, these dolls have carved a niche in the doll industry, appealing to both collectors and art enthusiasts alike.