Dolls & Dreams

 by Marion Bronson

Through May 31 2005

An exhibition mounted by Avenue 9 Gallery at

 The Upper Crust, 130 Main Street, Chico. 895-3866.

Reception Wednesday May 4, 5-7 p.m.

Artist's Statement

I chose dolls and mannequins as subjects because they evoke the art movements that have influenced me most—surrealism and expressionism. Surrealists such as Salvador Dali, Joseph Cornell, and Max Ernst used dolls as objects of desire. They understood that they could awaken the viewer’s unconscious mind by positioning, altering and dressing dolls in unexpected ways.

I have photographed antique dolls with porcelain faces, fancy dresses, and unknowing glass eyes in order to stimulate memories we all have buried within us, especially if as children we used dolls in fantasy play. Dolls in store windows seem helpless, hemmed in by myriad props, and obscured by reflections.

Window dressers clothe and position mannequins to arouse the desires and stimulate the insecurities of passersby. Their aim is to catch the eye and wallet of the public. I generally photograph mannequins as partly obliterated by reflections of life around them. These are natural collages, single shot "ready-mades" not accomplished by photomontage or digital manipulation.

I’ve always admired small budget artworks such as underground movies. These proved that anyone with energy, drive, and a unique vision could create movies—wealth and connections weren’t essential. I try for that spirit in my photography by using a moderately priced digital camera and computer.

The mannequins in this exhibition are from New York windows. I photographed the dolls at Stagecoach Antiques (at the former Chico and the present Durham sites). I am grateful to Bill Shelton, Stagecoach owner, for encouraging me to photograph his marvelous collection of obscure objects of desire.

Marion Bronson also is currently exhibiting her "Bidwell Park in Winter" series at the Chico Creek Nature Center.  For more information on Marion Bronson's photographs, call the gallery at 530-879-1821.