Big Impact for Small Dolls: Smart Dolls
Photography by Michael Shrapnel.
WRITTEN BY LACHLAN WHITE.
These dolls are called Smart Dolls, about knee height (60cm) fashion dolls that have been handcrafted in a Japanese creative studio from the mind of Danny Choo. If that name sounds familiar, you might be more aware of his father, fashion designer Jimmy Choo. Fashion Dolls as a hobby aren’t a common sight in Australia, but throughout Asia, North America and Europe, they are a growing fascination and industry.
Smart Dolls, and Fashion dolls as a whole, aren’t exactly toys. Most brands and creators start retailing them at several hundred dollars, with the high quality materials, and crafted details making them ideal for photography, artistic reference and collection.
Photography by Michael Shrapnel.
I sat down with Smart Dolls photographer Michael Shrapnel to discuss the wonderful world of smart dolls and his photography. Michael has been expanding his photography skills through creative and immersive prop set design revolving around the Smart Dolls in order to showcase the beauty of Adelaide.
By trade Michael is a Registered Nurse, which shows in his work, having done multiple shoots in medical settings, most recently at a South Australian Hospital. He has been photographing Smart Dolls for 5 years now, and he has been heavily influenced artistically by stop-motion films, in particular Tim Burtons work.
Michael first came across Smart Dolls on YouTube, with people bringing them out into the world and taking photos of them. Michael Shrapnel told Empire Times “[that Smart Dolls] really sparked my imagination, but well, actually, maybe I could do something like that as well like that, incorporating, you know, the juxtaposition of a toy, you know, a doll, with the real world environment.”
Michael’s photography reflects Women’s Health and a exhibition showcasing this photography at Adelaide Fringe, and has been selected as a Fringe Highlight in the theme of ‘Shows for a good cause’
There will be art for sale to support charities Flinders Foundation and Flinders University. Free Limited Ticketed with the option of a Gold coin donation at the door for a raffle ticket for a chance to win a limited edition exhibition artwork.
Fringe Show Details
Opening Night: 6pm - 8pm 23rd February.
Fri, 23 Feb - Sun, 17 Mar Open 10am-10pm.
For more details visit the Fringe Website: https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/international-women-s-health-conference-a-smart-doll-art-exhibition-af2024
You can follow Michael Shrapnel Instagram @daydreaming_bee or Facebook
Daydreaming Bee Photography