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What is the image of the Architect?
Architects for the most part have either been under represented or stereotyped, and our contribution to the evolution of society has faded into obscurity, either we (architects) have become drummers in a massive real estate band, dancers in the developer’s troupe, pavement singers at the buildings dept or a sweatshop of subalterns and the rest is pretty much stereotyped by ourselves. What then is the image of an architect?
The Barbie ensemble created by Mattel does away with stereotypes, breathing in some fresh air, why is it that we architects always dress is black? We design and paint in colors and visualize in space, often envisioning future cities and trends which are yet to happen but still for all our ingenuity we are stuck in stereotypes how ironic. Secondly the Barbie: doll has become such an Iconic influence I can imagine little misses growing up playing with these toys and imagining a career in architecture, why subjugate their little minds into stereotypes that we cant break? Have we become so clichéd? Or is this a process of being repetitive because we cannot be creative?
Kudos to efforts of Despina Stratigakos
I would like to see more colors and options for Barbie’s ensemble as well as accessories and hey where’s Ken?