Dolls and their clothes have long been a source of comfort and excitement for children, particularly young femmes. However, in the adult world, the doll and other such cute items are not perceived as an art form worthy of critical interest. Like many traditionally feminine interests as well as many asian aesthetic trends, they are written off as “cute,” and not given the merit of a more nuanced look.

In a short lecture, we will explore the cultural values and experiences at the heart of femme, asian, “cute” aesthetics. When we move on to creating our paper dolls, it will be with the attitude that they are capable of carrying dense character and meaning (should we want them to.) We will begin the night by introducing ourselves and a favorite doll to each other. Shashi will then lead a short lecture establishing our philosophy behind dolls for the night. And finally, we will make our own paper dolls and paper clothes to take home!

…（ ꒰ .·:*0¨◌ …︑ ༘︒⚬∙︓·⠄ :·. ꒱ … ◌.·:*0¨◌ ꒱ …。。◌ ）

Shashi is an illustrator and poet living and working in Brooklyn. She intends to open up holes in the density of our lives by positing questions rather than answers in her drawings. These questions often take the form of non linear and melancholic picture books. Her current passion project is a picture book called Goodbye Rain, which ponders what it can mean to love a raindrop. Her life and drawings sustain themselves on poetry, philosophy, and a lot of blue.