Two Argentinian artists have caused outrage amongst British Hindus and elsewhere after creating Barbie in the image of Goddess Kali. This came after the duo- Marianela Perelli and Pool Paolini hit headlines after previewing pieces from their upcoming exhibition The Plastic Religion, which features barbie and Ken resembling religious figures such as Jesus and Virgin Mary.
It has been learnt that though the artist duo have 'Barbiefied' the Goddess Kali avatar, they consciously decided not to create a Ken version of the Muslim prophet Muhammed.
Rajan Zed, a Hindu cleric fro the US has said the “Barbie-fication of Kali is simply improper, wrong and out of place.”
“Hindus welcome the art world to immerse in Hinduism but taking it seriously and respectfully and not for refashioning Hinduism concepts and symbols for personal agendas.”
A spokesperson for the pair claimed they ‘decided against creating a Ken doll as Islam’s Prophet Muhammad out of their great respect for Islam but stressed they did not intend to offend any religion’.
Mr Zed insisted that Hindus strongly believe in free speech, but claimed that “faith is something sacred and attempts at belittling it hurt the devotees”.
