This document discusses how toys represent and reinforce social institutions and identities. It provides examples of how existing toys like Barbies promote certain ideals of femininity. The document advocates critically examining toys to identify implicit messages and redesigning toys to promote alternative narratives. Questions are provided to guide analyzing original toys and redesigns, such as considering what identities or institutions are portrayed, who benefits, and what social issues are addressed. The goal is for toys to disrupt inequities and allow children to explore diverse identities.

1. Toys as Texts
Summer Institute Workshop 2015
V. Vasquez

2. 2014
18-22 Billion $$$

3. Toys represent the institutions of
our society - as a microcosm
of the adult world.
(Army, Medicine,Transport...)
Barthes, 1993

4. Sort through toy collection
and identify social institutions
that are represented.

8. –Johnny Appleseed
“Type a quote here.”

9. Toys invite players to read and
perform particular identities.
Wohlwend, 2009

10. What particular identities
can be performed with
the use of the toys?

11. Players=children & adults

17. Explore Texts as Toys
-critically read texts
-unpack ideologies
-redesign toys as counter narratives
-redesign toys to make a statement

18. The Tree Change Dolls™ are the work of Tasmanian
artist Sonia Singh. The dolls have been rescued and
rehabilitated from op-shops and tip shops around
Tasmania. These lil fashion dolls have been given a “tree
change”, swapping their high-maintenance high-fashion
habits for down-to-earth style. Sonia hand repaints the
dolls faces, mold new feet or shoes, and my Mum sews
and knits their clothing. (Video)
Tree Change Dolls

19. Nickolay Lamm Study
• Artist and researcher
• What would Barbie look like as an average woman?
• Took measurements of a typical 19 year old to
recreate a normal Barbie.

21. • Who defines average? typical? normal?
• Who is privileged by the 'new' Barbie?
• Who is marginalized by the new Barbie?
• Who defines down to earth?

22. Re-designing toys with new social intent.
Re-designing toys for children to perform
different identities.
Re-designing toys to disrupt problematic
social inequities.

23. • What social issue does this toy represent?
• What message(s) does this toy convey? For whom is this message important?
• What identity(ies) might someone perform while playing with this toy?
• Doss this toy contribute to a microcosm of a societal institution?
• What work might this toy do in the world?
• From what perspective(s) am I re-designing this toy?
• Why do I want to re-design this toy? Who is my focal audience?
• Who might benefit from playing with this toy? Who might be harmed by this toy?
• What is this toy about?
• What ideals/ values/perspectives/ points of view are overt? implied?
• How might different people read this text? Who might these people be? What effect(s) might my
toy have on them?
• What sources of information will I use in representing the social issue that is part of re-designing
this toy?
Questions to ask Regarding the
Original Toy

24. • What social issue will I address?
• What message do I intend to convey? Why is this message important to me?
• Does my toy contribute to a microcosm of a societal institution?
• What work might this toy do in the world?
• From what perspective(s) am I creating this toy?
• Why do I want to make this toy? Who is my focal audience?
• Who might benefit from playing with this toy? Who might be harmed by this toy?
• What is this toy about?
• What ideals/ values/perspectives/ points of view are overt? implied?
• How might different people read this text? Who might these people be? What effect(s) might
my toy have on them?
• What sources of information did I use in representing the social issue I chose?
• What identity(ies) might someone perform while playing with this toy?
Questions to ask about my Re-designed Toy