The BJDs of Bardo Research are the work of Russian artist Oxana Geets. Her elegant dolls have strong features and look simultaneously both both ancient and modern. Her resin releases include 18cm tall Mahi and 40cm tall Sadhana, Remi and new girl Ayatana.
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Q: Can you tell me a little about yourself?
A: I live in the Far East region of Russia, on the border with China. Two steps away from my home there is the embankment of the Amur river with a view of the located on the opposite side Chinese city Heihe. Very attractive view of the modern Asian city with high buildings and colorful lighting in the evening.
In 2005 I graduated from Amur State University with a master degree in Fine Arts. After some tries in digital design, I focused my efforts in doll making. I made a small static doll series to improve my skills in sculpting (http://boxforox.livejournal.com/photo/).
These dolls was shown in 2009 «Doll Time» exhibition in Sankt-Petersburg.
Q: How did you become interested in making BJDs?
A: Several years ago (in 2008) I was very impressed by surrealistic portrait dolls from Igeta Hiroko and ultimate classical surrealistic doll photos by Hans Ballmer. After this I discovered on the internet the big range of types and styles of Asian BJD – from Volks factory dolls to artistic creations by Arume Emura (DreamSoda). I was hugely inspired to try to create a BJD.
Q: What does the name Bardo Research signify?
A: There is some kind of sci-fi story that stands behind my 40 cm doll line:
Bardo Research is a fictional scientific research project, engaged in investigations in the field of borderline states.
The Tibetan word Bardo means literally “intermediate state”—also translated as “transitional state” or “in-between state” or “liminal state”.
In in the terms of Bardo Research the ” borderline state” means a variety of transitional processes in the surrounding reality. The company’s area of interest includes changes in social interactions, some transformation of the human environment and, in particular, the processes occurring in the human psyche.
Bardo Research pays special attention to certain extremely rare unusual events – those that definitely took place in reality, but are, at first glance, appearing not consistent with the laws of nature.
Many members of the organization are unique experts, in most cases being people who managed to develop the rarest skills.
For example – Sadhana the Modulator – https://www.flickr.com/photos/50778240@N08/albums/72157642833942793.
Modulator – from the Latin “modulatio ” – “marching in time” or “rhythmic/regular measure”.
Her scientific objectives include scrutinizing rhythmic patterns in the life activity of big cities. Also, the focus of her research is to bring forth methods of modifying said patterns, or rather, to find ways for harmonizing rhythms of the urban environment.
Q: Can you tell me a little about your dolls in general?
A: Currently I develop two sizes of doll lines – very tiny Spirits dolls and Bardo Research 40cm dolls. The Spirits line now have one body and face sculpt – Mahi, an 18cm doll. Every doll comes with her tiny consort spirit. Bardo Research line includes one female body sculpt and three face sculpts – Sadhana, Remi and a new one – Ayatana.
Q: What are your influences and inspirations?
A: Archaic art at first. Any kind of ancient artifact of any culture – Cucuteni, Ainu, Late Neolithic, Cycladic, Early Helladic, etc… Also I’m a huge fan of Ancient Buddhist art – in its tantric part especially.
Q: Are you developing any new dolls right now?
A: Yes, I’m working on a small doll in a fantasy style now.
Q: Will you experiment with any other sizes?
A: This autumn I did some experiments with sculpting a 70+ doll (the first time for me) – I liked this size very much! I think I will make dolls in this size in the future.
Photos above from top: Resin figures by Oxana Geets, Sadhana the Modulator, Ayatana
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Oxana’s description of science clearly sounds like someone who has no basic idea in this field, even a cheap Sci-Fi books have a better description. To me this remind more of a paganic cult then scientific research project. Well, I usually don’t expect from art students to have scientific knowledge, as well rational way of thinking. On a side note I will say her dolls do look pretty and high quality.
Oh my, where did you find any description of science? It is about dolls, you know! About Oxana’s imaginary characters working in imaginary organisation. If you really want description of science maybe you should read something other than bjd websites and cheap Sci-Fi books.
Dolls are great!