BLYTHE : Opening at Magic Pony April 30.2005

Blythe : April 30 to May 25.05

Overview - Gina Garan Bio - Junko Wong Bio - About Magic Pony

A Solo Exhibit of Photography by Gina Garan (NYC)
& the “Behind Blythe” Doll Exhibit curated by Junko Wong (CWC Japan)

Opening Reception:
Saturday April 30 from 6-11pm

Location:
Magic Pony Gallery
785 Queen St West 2nd Floor
Toronto ON Canada
416-861-1684

Postcard and Book Signing with Gina Garan from 7-9pm
Gina Garan and Junko Wong will be in attendance at the opening
Running April 30-May 25

Magic Pony is pleased to present “Blythe” - An exploration into the life of the world’s most fashionable doll. This incredible exhibit is the largest Blythe exhibit to take place outside of Japan. The Blythe show opens Saturday April 30 from 6-11pm and runs until May 25 at the Magic Pony Shop and Gallery. Both Blythe photographer Gina Garan and Junko Wong of CWC Japan will be in attendance at the opening. Garan and Wong’s collaborated efforts are solely responsible for the rebirth of Blythe. This will be their first Canadian exhibit.

This unique Blythe exhibit unearths the secrets of this captivating doll from conception to completion. The Blythe show combines productions sketches, packaging and costume design, customized dolls and fashion photography in order to give viewers a distinct look at the creation process of Blythe. In addition to this, the exhibit explores the cult status Blythe has recently experienced and the resurgence in popularity since her first brief appearance in the 1970s.

Junko Wong’s incredible “Behind Blythe” exhibit brings a new level of understanding and appreciation to the complexity of doll creation and the intensive collecting and customizing these dolls encourage. It is especially relevant to see these dolls in conjunction with the photographs of Gina Garan. It is Gina who first saw the potential in Blythe through her photographs and it has been said by Blythe creators that a doll is not complete until photographed by Gina as she breathes life into each doll. Her magnetic photographs of Blythe are both seductive and endearing and each image she presents captures the unique persona of that doll perfectly.

The Blythe exhibit will take place at Magic Pony, a shop, studio and gallery located in Toronto. Magic Pony specializes in collaborating and showcasing unique creative projects. Magic Pony exhibits both local and International artists, many who have never shown in Canada before and are considered to be the leaders in their respective fields. This exhibit marks the first Blythe exhibit and Gina Garan’s first photography exhibit in Canada. Please join us for this special event openng April 30th from 6-11pm and running until May 25th.

In association with the

	Event Details: Blythe : An exploration into the fascinating life of the world’s most fashionable doll This exhibition consists of two parts:
	Behind Blythe Curated by Junko Wong Behind Blythe is an exhibition detailing the revival of Blythe through the efforts of Junko Wong and CWC. Viewers will experience the behind-the-scenes creation of a Japanese Blythe doll. The exhibit combines over twenty Junie Moon illustrations and computer generated images detailing the creation of the Blythe doll, including packaging and costume design. Featured is the creation process of the up and coming Blythe doll “Candy Carnival”. In addition to this, the exhibit encompasses an impressive display of over thirty Blythe dolls ranging from anniversary editions, customized dolls, and first edition Blythes. The Junie Moon one-of-a-kind Blythes will be shown alongside such well known Blythes as “Dottie Dot” and “Bohemian Beat” and the new “Mamechiyo”. This will be the first time that a Blythe exhibit of this magnitude has taken place outside of Japan and the first time these rare dolls will be available to buy in Canada. It is a great honor for Magic Pony to be the place Blythe will premiere in North America.
	Blythe Photography By Gina Garan The Behind Blythe exhibit will be complimented by the photographs of Gina Garan, the official photographer of Blythe. Garan’s exquisite photographs are greatly responsible for the world’s current obsession with Blythe. The creators of Blythe say that the doll is not completed until photographed by Gina as she breathes life into each doll. Her magnetic photographs of Blythe are both seductive and endearing and each image she presents captures the unique persona of that doll perfectly. Garan will be in attendance at the opening and will be releasing her second Blythe publication and a book of postcards. This will be Garan’s first Canadian appearance. “Gina Garan is a new master in a world where dolls rule. Her hypnotic photography, exotic locations, and styling seduce the eyes to orgasmic highs.” — David LaChapelle