Religious Kitcsh: Barbie Does Dharma

Secret Spells Barbie – “An ordinary schoolgirl by day, Secret Spells Barbie transforms at night. Open the included book to discover the mysterious compartment holding her secrets. Includes fun, potion-making accessories, including two mixes for making magic potions you can really drink.”

Razanne – The “modest” Muslim alternative to Barbie – “At first glance, this new girl on the block doesn’t give Barbie much of a run for her money. After all, Barbie is everything Razanne is not — curvaceous, flashy and loaded with sex appeal. But that’s exactly why many Muslim Americans prefer Razanne, with her long-sleeved dresses, head scarf and, by her creator Ammar Saadeh’s own admission, a not-so-buxom bustline.”

Indian Barbie – Bengali Lady Going for Her Prayers – “Recreated Barbie depicting a traditional Bengali married Hindu woman, going to the temple to offer prayers. She has been depicted as carrying a basket of flowers and a garland, as offerings to the deity.”

Religious art for a plastic age?

In the 5th century B.C.
an Indian philosopher
Gautama teaches “All is emptiness”
and “There is no self.”
In the 20th century A.D.
Barbie agrees, but wonders how a man
with such a belly could pose,
smiling, and without a shirt.

Denise Duhamel – Buddhist Barbie