Comments on: Performance art...or love story?

Performance art...or love story?

granted — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 20:10:01 -0800

Amber Hawk Swanson was lonely. So, like lonely singles everywhere, she contracted RealDoll.com, "Home of the World's Finest Love Doll," to provide her with some companionship. But she had one special request - that the doll be made to look exactly like her. Nine months later, Amber Doll was born, and the two were married the next day in a Las Vegas ceremony. Amber documents the wedding, and explores the relationship between fantasy and reality, in her film To Have, To Hold, and To Violate, Amber and Doll (5-minute compilation.). (most links nsfw)

Some interviews with Amber: Current TV (video) Sex TV Part One and Part Two (also video) Vocalo.org (audio)

By: middleclasstool

middleclasstool — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 20:20:13 -0800

Subtle.

By: ColdChef

ColdChef — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 20:22:12 -0800

Go fuck yourself.

By: Justinian

Justinian — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 20:24:27 -0800

I think I liked the Real Doll made from Kelly Carlson a lot better.

By: nola

nola — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 20:24:58 -0800

Narcissism 2.0

By: Dr-Baa

Dr-Baa — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 20:25:08 -0800

My real doll doppleganger gets more action than I do.

By: yhbc

yhbc — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 20:25:42 -0800

Okay, she's pretty funny, but that's still a damn pretentious art school project.

By: TheOnlyCoolTim

TheOnlyCoolTim — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 20:28:10 -0800

The 1st and 3rd photographs, especially, in "fantasy and reality" are interesting to me, with the juxtaposition of real person and fake person, because it basically looks like a combination of how a regular person looks in a regular photograph and how a team of a professional model, make-up artists, professional photographers, photoshoppers, etc. try to make us think a real person looks.

By: amyms

amyms — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 20:31:47 -0800

This reminds me of a current events riff some comedian (can't remember who) did awhile back: "Real Dolls ain't cheap. They're like the old school blow-up dolls, but for the well-to-do perv."

By: M.C. Lo-Carb!

M.C. Lo-Carb! — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 21:11:07 -0800

This is so much more delightful than the artificial insemination/abortion project.

By: liza

liza — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 21:22:27 -0800

I'm with yhbc and add to that FAIL!

By: Cool Papa Bell

Cool Papa Bell — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 21:28:39 -0800

I'd hit it. Not the girl. It.

By: Tbola

Tbola — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 21:29:43 -0800

Anyone wish to compare/contrast to Lars and the Real Girl? I haven't seen it... but it looks fairly similar. (except with the whole narcissism thing thrown in)

By: Tbola

Tbola — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 21:33:50 -0800

Oh, and looking at the clip of the wedding reception, with all the people playing along with the art project, trying to be clever... I got an icy fucking spike of anxiety just imagining what it would be like to be trapped in a room with them. Suddenly, holidays at the in-laws doesn't seem as bad.

By: nanojath

nanojath — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 21:40:08 -0800

Wow, video of pseudo-lesbian narcissistic woman/doll-doppelgänger faux marriage is exactly as boring as video of plain old boring ordinary marriages. Not so many takers for the roller skating, huh? I have to admit though, the sort of manic alacrity with which men sought to molest that doll is, ugh, I don't know, but I don't think it says anything very flattering about the male psyche. This vaguely reminds me of that dude from nerve who made a mold of his own junk and had some dom do him with it as a strap-on (NSFW, duh). So does she actually fuck the doll?

By: UbuRoivas

UbuRoivas — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 22:08:39 -0800

Amber Hawk Swanson was lonely. So, like lonely singles everywhere, she was faced with the option of either doing something to climb out of her hole, or digging in deeper. "It was at that point that I came up with my new art project" said Amber. "I decided to call it 'I Wonder How Far It Is To China, Anyway?'"

By: porpoise

porpoise — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 22:19:03 -0800

Didn't we do this already? Or was it bb ,,, 10 or 11 months ago? More?

By: kid ichorous

kid ichorous — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 22:25:23 -0800

Oh, and looking at the clip of the wedding reception, with all the people playing along with the art project, trying to be clever... "You just don't get it man - it's like, the *real* f---toy is the *audience*..." *takes drag on filterless French cigarette*

By: CitizenD

CitizenD — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 22:39:11 -0800

what a sparkling collection of glittering assholes!

By: CheshireCat

CheshireCat — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 22:44:58 -0800

This was kind of amusing, but at the same time kinda schlocky. I much preferred the documentary that was posted here a while ago about actual real doll owners. The words "lonely" and "relationship" pop up in the articles about this project, but really all I'm seeing is attention seeking, narcissism, and sexualization; it's all very superficial and jokey really, it lacks the pathos that the documentary captured. I mean, contrast how lewdly the doll is treated here in comparison to the people who owned one for real. I agree with TheOnlyCoolTim that the comparison shots are fascinating, but as a whole I think this project says more about the artist and her treatment of the subject mater than it does about sex dolls themselves. I mean, come on, recreating famous movie rape scenes with your doppelgänger real doll is kind of tacky.

By: Parasite Unseen

Parasite Unseen — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 22:47:22 -0800

I liked that a lot more than I thought I would. Apparently, my opinion of the project is in the minority here, but opinions on art (particularly of a non-traditional sort) are bound to be varied. If she had done the exact same project, but created the doll out of Lego (or Legos, if you prefer), I'm sure that the Metafilter crowd would have nothing but praise for it. Speaking of which, I once sculpted a Real Doll out of Lego for my own use. As with most things in my life, what I initially imagined would be sexy and exciting turned out to be painful and humiliating. Lesson learned.

By: The Light Fantastic

The Light Fantastic — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 22:56:14 -0800

Ya know, we all have to ask ourselves that question that none of us really want to answer: if I could clone myself...would I fuck myself? And finally, after much soul searching I found the answer: yes. But, I wouldn't photograph it. jeez!

By: UbuRoivas

UbuRoivas — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 23:05:21 -0800

Didn't we do this already? Or was it bb ,,, 10 or 11 months ago? More? There were two photography posts, not long after each other & not more than sex - heh, freudian typo - six months ago, where the subjects were photoshopped into romantic/sexy situations & positions with themselves. Unfortunately, the photography tag is heavily used here. Anybody else want to try searching?

By: hypersloth

hypersloth — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 23:25:30 -0800

Me-Harmony.com? google-fu fail, cannot find video

By: pandaharma

pandaharma — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 23:35:54 -0800

The only way this project would be even remotely interesting would involve the artist preserving the doll and dragging it out once a year for a joint photograph. Dorian Grey in action and would be at least slightly poignant.

By: PeterMcDermott

PeterMcDermott — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 23:42:49 -0800

Anyone wish to compare/contrast to Lars and the Real Girl? Lars and the Real Girl was great. A sad, tender, moving exploration of mental illness and the nature of family. This, in contrast, is yet another weak-assed performance artist in search of a gimmick. I have to admit though, the sort of manic alacrity with which men sought to molest that doll is, ugh, I don't know, but I don't think it says anything very flattering about the male psyche. The doll is a sex object. Surely it's not unreasonable to treat a sex object as a sex object?

By: aeschenkarnos

aeschenkarnos — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 23:46:12 -0800

Stupid. But funny. But stupid.

By: UbuRoivas

UbuRoivas — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 23:50:02 -0800

The doll is a sex object. Surely it's not unreasonable to treat a sex object as a sex object? Dolls can apparently be seen as individuals in their own right, not only as sexual playthings for guys. I know it sounds strange, but that's what I've heard from some freethinkin' cat who lives round near my pad.

By: the quidnunc kid

the quidnunc kid — Thu, 01 May 2008 05:09:02 -0800

What a moran. Accurately replicating even the smallest trace of an human being - created in God's image and endowed with complex rationality - is simply impossible for sinful fools such as we.

By: electricinca

electricinca — Thu, 01 May 2008 06:41:09 -0800

Lars and the Real Girl was great. A sad, tender, moving exploration of mental illness and the nature of family. I agree. I thought it was a wonderful touching movie. This, in contrast, is yet another weak-assed performance artist in search of a gimmick. Again I'm in agreement. The doll is a sex object. Surely it's not unreasonable to treat a sex object as a sex object? Here we differ Peter. Can we not take as one of the messages from Lars and the Real Girl is that a Real Doll can transcend it's designed purpose and become more than a mere sex object when taken out of context. Perhaps my views on the behaviour of some of the male guests at the 'wedding' have been coloured by having only just seen Lars and the Real Girl a week or so ago, but I think the molesting of the Amber doll is a little inappropriate. But then given the nature of some of the other photos perhaps Amber Hawk Swanson was encouraging said behaviour.

By: briank

briank — Thu, 01 May 2008 06:48:36 -0800

On the plus side, at least she can't get the doll pregnant over and over and smear the miscarriages on canvas.

By: jquinby

jquinby — Thu, 01 May 2008 07:20:40 -0800

In a few years she can turn it into a lamp or something. Maybe a coffee table. Put the doll on all fours and stick a piece of plate glass on top.

By: craven_morhead

craven_morhead — Thu, 01 May 2008 08:20:03 -0800

I very much enjoyed Lars and the Real Girl. None of the acting was overdone, it highlighted some of the family issues without smashing you over the head with them, and it was even funny sometimes. The art project smashes you over the head with things.

By: quin

quin — Thu, 01 May 2008 08:37:20 -0800

The art project smashes you over the head with things. I think I just got an idea for my gallery exhibit; Blunt Force Trauma: where the patrons are the project. I'm going to need some waivers. And some plastic sheeting.

By: krinklyfig

krinklyfig — Thu, 01 May 2008 08:58:54 -0800

the quidnunc kid writes "What a moran. Accurately replicating even the smallest trace of an human being - created in God's image and endowed with complex rationality - is simply impossible for sinful fools such as we." Does that apply to paintings, photographs, sculpture?

By: asok

asok — Thu, 01 May 2008 09:16:50 -0800

Perchance the quidnunc kid was being facetious?

By: Elsa

Elsa — Thu, 01 May 2008 09:47:31 -0800

In a few years she can turn it into a lamp or something. That's not a lamp. That's a major award!

By: the quidnunc kid

the quidnunc kid — Thu, 01 May 2008 09:53:31 -0800

Does that apply to paintings, photographs, sculpture? Or MeFi comments?

By: fuq

fuq — Thu, 01 May 2008 09:56:01 -0800

the quidnunc kid makes the whole art project sexier by pointing out the religious edge. sadly, it isn't perfect...if the sculptor of the realdoll broke in to the woman's house, then fucked her realdoll and didn't clean up, it would be an inversion of the jesus mythos, where the female figure, rather than experience immaculate conception, is filled with the creators very physical ejaculate but is barren and lifeless.

By: dances_with_sneetches

dances_with_sneetches — Thu, 01 May 2008 10:33:25 -0800

You just know the island of Narcissus is going to sue.

By: craven_morhead

craven_morhead — Thu, 01 May 2008 10:36:34 -0800

A lamp or something.

By: Aversion Therapy

Aversion Therapy — Thu, 01 May 2008 11:25:39 -0800

Am I the only one who's most fascinated by the fact that the doll doesn't actually look anything like her? It's a bad comic book artist's wet dream idealized version, not actually a representation of her, physically. I can't help seeing this as more of an exploration of people's own self-image and body image than anything else. Does she think she actually looks like that?

By: Justinian

Justinian — Thu, 01 May 2008 11:43:05 -0800

I didn't want to be rude or anything but, yeah, the doll's body is obviously modeled after someone weighing like fifty pounds less than the artist. I suspect that Real Doll will make custom faces but it would be prohibitively expensive to have a custom body made, so they just stuck her head on a pre-existing Real Doll body.

By: granted

granted — Thu, 01 May 2008 11:44:23 -0800

From the Chicago Reader article: Last July 4, after several weeks of negotiation, Swanson put $6,000 down on a doll that would be four inches shorter than her, with a waist six inches smaller, but have a face identical to her own. (A full body replica would've doubled the cost.)

By: Guy_Inamonkeysuit

Guy_Inamonkeysuit — Thu, 01 May 2008 13:21:56 -0800

This threads cries out for the batshitinsane tag.

By: xod

xod — Thu, 01 May 2008 14:24:01 -0800

I like her name. It's like she's a porn-star-super-hero from Jurassic Park with TV dinner powers.

By: rdone

rdone — Thu, 01 May 2008 15:40:51 -0800

How Green Was My Uncanny Valley.

By: MiltonRandKalman

MiltonRandKalman — Thu, 01 May 2008 17:19:12 -0800

Metafilter: smashes you over the head with things. As for attraction, we commonly gravitate to those who resemble our own characteristics.

By: PeterMcDermott

PeterMcDermott — Thu, 01 May 2008 17:21:06 -0800

Can we not take as one of the messages from Lars and the Real Girl is that a Real Doll can transcend it's designed purpose and become more than a mere sex object when taken out of context. We can if we're insane, like Lars was. Otherwise, not so much, IMO. While I'm happy to concede that men are low, low creatures, with extraordinarily base urges, the doll really doesn't care whether we indulge them or not. And if the doll doesn't object, why would anyone else?

By: UbuRoivas

UbuRoivas — Thu, 01 May 2008 17:58:45 -0800

While I'm happy to concede that men are low, low creatures, with extraordinarily base urges As a masculist, I demand you retract that. You'd never tolerate anybody saying similar things about women, and nor would many other users here.

By: P.o.B.

P.o.B. — Thu, 01 May 2008 18:09:06 -0800

Can we not take as one of the messages from Lars and the Real Girl is that a Real Doll can transcend it's designed purpose and become more than a mere sex object when taken out of context. Sure, take it out of context and make it into a coffe table, as suggested above). But in context it is a sex object! That is what it is, and that's what it's made for. Really, I wasn't surprised one damn bit to see that thing fondled, because that's what it is for!

By: cortex

cortex — Thu, 01 May 2008 18:36:55 -0800

There were two photography posts, not long after each other & not more than sex - heh, freudian typo - six months ago, where the subjects were photoshopped into romantic/sexy situations & positions with themselves. Unfortunately, the photography tag is heavily used here. Anybody else want to try searching? I've managed to find this post; the original links are not in great shape, now, but this one will take you to the works. I feel like there was another by a photography, using only herself as the model for a series of pictures, but I'm not finding it.

By: octobersurprise

octobersurprise — Fri, 02 May 2008 06:04:44 -0800

Ms. Swanson treats objects like women, man! if I could clone myself...would I fuck myself? Not a chance. I'm so out of my league.