(4 Oct 2013) An international exhibition of dolls, including an exhibit to mark the 400th anniversary of the Romanov dynasty, is opening in Moscow.
The exhibit brings together doll designers from around the world.
STORYLINE:
Now it's ninth year, Moscow's International Doll Salon is opening its doors to the public, bringing together designers from Russia as well as all over the world.
As part of the exhibition, some of the dolls on display are recreations of dolls more than 100 years old.
"This year, in honour of 400 year anniversary of the Romanov house, we have opened another charity event (of recreated Romanov family toys) where we have collected children books, engraved items of the time, some mugs and these wonderful items. This is the start of 20th century, 1900s," says Svetlana Pchelnikova, President of The International Association of Doll Designers.
"This is made by company 'Marsielle' in 1894, doll with a leather body," says Pchelnikova.
Each of the dolls here are completely unique, having been replicated to exactly resemble long lost desgins from the Romanov dynasty - the rulers of Russia from 1613 untill the Russian revolution in 1917.
"It is the soul of the artist. You only need to look in the eyes of the doll, and it is instantly clear what is happening inside the head and inner-world of the author," says Pchelnikova.
Whether it's pain, joy, love or sadness in the eyes of these dolls, it's all from the artist.
Laura Scattolini, an Italian designer who's been making dolls for 20 years, says that there's a variety of thing that inspire her: "I can see an object, that could be an inspiration. I can see the expression of the children. And also, a mother, how you feel."
Scattolini says that once she's found her inspiration, she transfers her emotions into the appearance of the doll: "After, I begin to think if I could transform my emotions in a doll so I begin to sculpt the face, because the most important thing is the face and above all, the eyes."
Elsewhere, twin Russian designers, the Popovy sisters, are the upcoming stars of the International Doll Salon.
Dolls like these have been sold for $10,000 USD, but Lena Popovy says that at times it's hard to part with their creations.
"You know, while we are making our dolls, we get very attached to them. And then, when we have to say goodbye it's a little bit sad. There is always a moment like that, but what can we do? This is our job, we need to make money," says Lena Popovy.
Another doll designer is Siu Ling Wang from Germany, an ex-pianter turned doll designer, Ling Wang says that there are still some dolls in her collection that she refuses to sell.
"I have erm, three or four dolls, I don't know exact, three or four dolls I don't sell them. Because they are exactly my daughters," says Ling Wang.
Visitors come to the International Doll Salon come for a variety of reasons, some to marvel and others gain inspiration for their own designs.
"I have been designing dolls for only 4 years, and wanted to have a look at work from other doll designers, get some kind of experience, and pleasure out of it," says Oleg Sluzhivy, a visitor and doll designer.
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