Little Hollywood Land's Photography Studio offers the unique experience of having your portrait shot by artist Tom Forsythe.  He is best known for his series of photographs entitled "Food Chain Barbie," which started a multi-million dollar legal battle between the artist and Mattel Corporation.  The lawsuit against Forsythe ended in a victory for Forsythe as well as a victory for artists' rights and Free Speech.   

Tom Forsythe 

In 1997, photographer Tom Forsythe developed a series of 78 photographs entitled "Food Chain Barbie." While the work varied, the photos generally depicted one or more of the popular dolls juxtaposed with vintage kitchen appliances. Forsythe explains that his work is a critique of our culture's objectification of women and he chose to parody Barbie because he believes the doll represents "the most enduring of those products that feed on the insecurities of our beauty and perfection-obsessed consumer culture." Forsythe further explains that his photographs are intended to convey a serious message with an element of humor. Mattel, Inc., the manufacturer and owner of the Barbie copyright, was not amused. It sued Forsythe alleging, among other claims, that his work violated its copyright. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit disagreed. The Court found that through successful marketing, Mattel had established Barbie as "ideal American woman" and a "symbol of American girlhood." Forsythe's work turned this image "on its head," said the Court, finding the photographs a parody of everything the doll has come to signify. As such, "Food Chain Barbie" qualified for the fair use exception.
- Thomas Jefferson Center
www.tjcenter.org

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