Dolls for Cirque de Soleil

November 4, 2008 by Beth Robinson

click to see larger version

So a few weeks ago I was contacted by a design consultant from Fairfield Industries to contribute work to an installation for Cirque de Soleil. They were having a fundraiser for energy efficiency at the SEG Conference in Las Vegas.

The twist? They needed the dolls by November 1. I heard from them on October 1. Which meant these giant dolls needed to be ready in 2 weeks in the event of any last minute snaffoos. So I quickly wrapped up the current projects, dropped everything, worked through the weekends (and only one overnight) and was able to finish and have the dolls shipped right to the guy’s house so he could take them to Vegas. The only major snaffoo was their hair, which took longer than expected to arrive. What got me through those long nights? Listening to the archived shows of The American Life. I love, love, love it. I’m so glad they have it available online.

Here is the full Flickr set of all 4 Cirque de Soleil dolls

The designs were based on this singer from one of the Cirque performances:

Onto making xmas ornaments!

Posted in Beth Robinson's Strange Dolls, Gallery Shows | Tagged cirque de soleil dolls, commissioned dolls | 12 Comments

12 Responses

on November 5, 2008 at 6:53 am cynjon

Beth, that is fucking cool.
on November 5, 2008 at 3:04 pm Tau

Oh Beth, you’ve outdone yourself again!! They are *amazing* and really show how far your range can go. You just continue to impress me.

Congrats on your fabulous success!!
on November 5, 2008 at 4:05 pm carisa

You rock.
One month to create and ship these dolls? Phenomenal.

Congratulations!
on November 5, 2008 at 9:09 pm Margaret

Wow, you’ve really grown as an artist in just the short time (1 year) I’ve been aware of you. How do you do it? I’m glad to see a doll artist thrive and get publicity and be asked to contribute work to something so cool as Circque. Go you! You must really keep a strict “art time” schedule.
on November 6, 2008 at 1:21 am strangedolls

Margaret, in the last few years I have structured my life around my art as opposed to structuring art around my life. I am not married, do not have kids, have no family that lives nearby, and am able to work part time for an amazing woman that gives me flex when I need it.

It is easy to be “strict” with “art time” – my problem is being able to put it away and go to bed!! But thanks for the comment about growth. That is something I have wanted to focus on over the last year. It means a lot that it is noticeable to you.
on November 6, 2008 at 4:00 pm Laetitia

what a great new!!in such a short time!!!what a challenge!!, and you did it, love the one you posted here:))

I’m exactly like you definitely when one decide that art is the biggest part of one’s life , there are not too much problems to manage to do such a challenge, fortunately you don’t seem to need to sleep too much , it’s easier!

hope you could have pictures of the installation showing your dolls…
on November 6, 2008 at 10:02 pm sayraphim

Oh Beth, these are truly beautiful! Congratulations! And as to the the time span, holy god woman!

I think you should do more portrait dolls. I love seeing the world’s people through your art-doll eyes.
on November 7, 2008 at 12:58 am strangedolls

Oh gosh, I feel like I am SO BAD at Portrait dolls. I do them so rarely. The Cirque dolls were more “inspired” by the picture I guess.

Now that you mention it – this is a William Burroughs doll commission I just finished. It was a birthday present. And I did a Robert Smith doll at one point. Maybe you should send me some pics to try out sometime…
on November 9, 2008 at 11:32 pm Gail Lackey

WOW! Totally Awesome Beth! You really out did your self! What fun creations! You must have stayed up 24/7 to get them done!!
WAAAY COOl!
Happy Hauntings,
Gail
on November 10, 2008 at 7:46 am sayraphim

bad at portrait dolls??? Gods woman, you’re incredible at them! (Hmm, I’m not sure about the grammar in that sentance) The William Burroughs doll is incredible, such sad eyes. And I’m betting your Robert Smith would have been beautiful too. (Did you see the one I made? http://www.sayraphimlothian.com/people/images/robertsmith1.jpg, http://www.sayraphimlothian.com/people/images/robertsmith2.jpg )

OOO… I admit, I did think about ordering one of your dolls of me when I saw the doll of you, but I was worried that would seem weird to commission. “Excuse me Incredible Artist, instead of all the beautiful things you make, can you make me one of me?” But now that you’ve suggested it, my mind is thinking to pretty photos I have of me…

It’s not every day you get an offer like that!
on November 11, 2008 at 7:35 am strangedolls

The shots of your Robert Smith doll are great!

I am collecting a list of artists who are talented with OOAK portrait dolls. You are assigned to the Robert Smith fiber category now.

These two artists are great at commissions: http://www.pezziunici.com I love it that they show pics of the customer and then the final doll. They are so good at doing creative likenesses.

See more HERE
on November 12, 2008 at 1:34 am sayraphim

Ahh, shucks. Thank you! There’s one more, the hell rockstar shot http://www.sayraphimlothian.com/people/images/robertsmith3.jpg

I’ve just made a doll of a friend of mine actually, she helped install and de-install totem, so what better way to thank her than knit a doll of her? When I photograph the doll, I’ll send you a copy. I’m really, really happy with the way she turned out.

The portrait dolls stem from my grandmother, she used to make dolls of us when we were little. I’m continuing the tradition, and I love it.

and AH! how good are those artists? I love those. Inspires me to make more portrait dolls now, both knitting but also sewing. I’m doing heaps of hand sewing at the moment, so that’ll influence how I make dolls in the future. Thank you heaps for sharing them!