iamthenublack: Aneky43251

introduce yourself

I go by Aneky43251 and I’m a grown woman who plays with dolls (12″ fashion dolls and action figures to be specific). For the most part I’m a self-taught Photographer and graduate from the University of YouTube, Lynda.com, and photo.net.

In some ways I perceive being on the outside in terms of a formal education to be a weakness. This is only because I think that the structure, resources, and technical knowledge Fine Art Programs provide to aspiring artists is extremely important. But in other ways, I find that it’s absence in my creative journey to be liberating. Liberating in the sense that I have the freedom to explore whatever subject I want at any pace of my choosing. I get to set my own boundaries, and that’s always fun.

I gravitated towards doll photography because my ambition exceeded my budget in terms of type of photography I wanted to do. I was limited in terms of equipment when working with people. I still photograph people, however dolls are just where I’m at right now.

To some people, doll photography may seem a little creepy or weird. I too felt that way at first. I never saw myself doing it. From a distance, I would never have guessed how much work goes into it (production wise); but now that I’m hooked, I understand it’s infinite possibilities in terms of treatments and narratives. On the creative side, using light and shadows to evoke emotion from something that has a “fixed” facial expression is no small feat. On the technical side, the level of sophistication required in creating provocative doll imagery shouldn’t be underestimated.

With doll photography, I am not just the photographer. I am the art director, stylist, and the set designer. I’m responsible for everything in the frame from concept to execution, at no point is the process collaborative, so in that respect I consider myself an Artist. My approach isn’t so much about exploring issues of identity, body image, or sexual roles imposed on the feminine form. I’ve never looked to dolls to reaffirm my identity; I’ve always referred to the actual women in my life for that. Even as a child I understood that dolls were just dolls, and that for the most part they reflect aesthetic tastes and values that don’t exactly mirror those of the culture that I’m from. I accept this reality, so it’s not an issue worth debating for me.

However, as an adult with an artistic point of view, I have the ability to impose my vision on this pre-packaged ideal. It’s never the other way around. In this relationship, the power is mine. My dolls look the way I want them to look, wear what I want them to wear, and reflect narratives and tastes that I identify with. Not to mention, the idea of corrupting a corporate construct with my vision makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

From moment I make a purchase, the doll is mine, and the modifications begin. I set aside the clothing, accessories, and play patterns in an attempt to bring them to life in a world that only “I” can know. With that said, I don’t photograph dolls from a collector’s point of view, I try to do it from a photographer’s point of view.

I have to admit that I have to have a sense of humor about it all. This new passion does make me feel a little awkward at times. Like when I’m in Toys-R-Us standing next to a eight year old kid giving her the hi-5 because the 2008 Holiday Barbie is stocked and on sale. Or raising-the-roof because Mattel finally added “Chandra” to it’s S.I.S. (So In Style Rocawear) doll line. And it really got serious when I bought my first 1:6 scale pistol gripped shotgun, and I can’t wait to use it.

fav lyric from a song

“Throwin my clothes out the windows, so when the wind blows I see my Polos and Timbos.”

- Biggie Smalls

who and what inspires you?

Music and everyday people. I love watching people. I prefer to play the wall and take it all in, but not in a passive way – always with a critical eye.

I’ve also started viewing a lot of print media lately. Not in terms of content, as I don’t think I’m the intended audience for most of the periodicals I subscribe to; but I do refer to them for color palettes, composition, and visual styles. I take what I need and leave the rest.

icons past & present

Shirley “Unbought and Unbossed” Chisholm, Prince, Marita Bonner, Jimi Hendrix, Roy Cohn, Malcom X.

the nublack philosophy/mantra according to Aneky43251

the best way to combat racism is with excellence. So in terms of production, I try not to talk about it…. I prefer to be about it.

Check me out

Flickr

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