Dubai becomes a Barbieland

In a series of new photographs, a digital artist Joe John Mallour has turned Dubai into “Barbieland” by painting its most famous landmarks – from the Burj Khalifa skyscraper to the EQ2 liner-hotel and the Museum of the Future – pink.

The artist has timed the new collection of images to coincide with the release of the film “Barbie”, the distribution of which starts in UAE cinemas today, 10 August 2023. Earlier, the UAE Media Council said the film has been approved for screening in the UAE.

The film, directed by Oscar-nominated writer and director Greta Gerwig, has already earned more than US$800 million at the global box office.

In the story, Barbie is kicked out of Barbieland because she does not meet its standards of beauty. She starts a new life in the real world, where she discovers that perfection can only be achieved through inner harmony.

The doll, whose real name sounds like Barbara Millicent Roberts, was designed by American businesswoman and inventor Ruth Marianne Handler. The doll from Mattel was first presented to the public on 9 March 1959 at the New York Toy Fair.

The first Barbie was sold for US$ 3, now the cost of the doll in the UAE is about US$ 27, with residents considering it overpriced. It is worth noting that after the release of the film the sales of dolls in the UAE did not increase, as children from 3 to 8 years old are not the target audience of the film. Therefore, a shortage of toys should not be expected.

Nevertheless, a great excitement in social networks caused a computer video on which a giant doll leaves its box near the skyscraper Burj Khalifa. In the video, the toy is dressed in a striped swimming costume and sunglasses, which is how she first appeared to the public in 1959.

Source: Khaleej Times

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