Posthuman Blues

A compelling, explicit introduction to the art and science of Japanese simulacra:

Apparently there is an uncanny valley in Japan, too.

The modern Japanese doll culture, however, is anything but traditional. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the ningyo tradition was exported to make toys for the West (previously featured on MeFi), and has culminated in popular Barbie-type dolls such as Superdollfie and others. Contemporary artists have transformed the Japanese doll tradition into something else entirely . . .