Canadian artist Heather Benning wanted to evoke a life without Internet, flat-screen televisions, or air conditioning. The dollhouse she has created, which we spotted via Design Taxi, definitely accomplishes that goal, transforming an abandoned farmhouse in Saskatchewan into a life-size version of the classic childhood toy. After renovating the interior, the artist filled the house with furniture and decor dating back to 1968, when it was abandoned. She left the exterior untouched, creating two co-existing worlds — the inside reveals a place immune to the effects of time, whereas the outside shows a house that is decayed and derelict. The contrast speaks to the passage of time, childhood play, memory, and nostalgia.
Benning also chose to cover the entire north-facing wall with plexiglass, giving the installation a tomb-like and inaccessible quality. “It encapsulates a time and a lifestyle that no longer exists, and will never exist again,” she told The Daily Mail. Check out some photos of Benning’s installation after the jump, and then be sure to head over to her website to see more behind-the-scenes images.
Photo credit: Heather Benning
Photo credit: Heather Benning
Photo credit: Telephone Booth Gallery