Unveiling the Astonishingly Absurd Kens' Mojo Dojo Casa Houses - Prepare to be Amazed!

Summary

Located within this captivating world, the "Mojo Dojo Casa Houses," ingeniously crafted by Ken following his exposure to the real world, intentionally boast an unsightly and gaudy appearance. These peculiar dwellings are adorned with equestrian accents, mini-fridges, and even La-Z-Boys, exuding an eccentric charm that adds depth and character to their overall composition.

The production designers were tasked with enhancing Ken's unattractive transformation at the request of director Greta Gerwig, who desired an intentionally artificial and unpleasant aesthetic. Many crew members expressed interest in purchasing items from Ken's "Ken-dom."

According to Sarah Greenwood, the production designer for the Barbie movie, and Katie Spencer, the set decorator, Ken's "Mojo Dojo Casa House" is even more absurd than previously believed. In the film, directed by Greta Gerwig, Margot Robbie's character, Stereotypical Barbie, departs from the matriarchal paradise of Barbieland to embark on a journey of self-discovery in the real world (reluctantly accompanied by Ryan Gosling's Ken). Upon experiencing the realities of patriarchy in the real world, Ken returns to Barbieland and transforms it into his own domain, "Ken-dom," renovating the Dreamhouses into "Mojo Dojo Casa Houses" complete with La-Z-Boys, mini-fridges, and equestrian-themed accents.

In an interview with The New York Times, Greenwood and Spencer disclosed that Ken's "Mojo Dojo Casa House" is even more absurd than you initially thought. The set designers explained that Gerwig persistently challenged them to make the masculine transformation even uglier, revealing hidden details like haphazardly placed barbecues on the ovens, juicers filled with Doritos, and all the TVs incessantly playing a clip of galloping horses. Read their shared revelations below:

Greenwood: We constantly had to question Greta, asking if it truly had to be this ugly. However, there is a certain purity to this level of hideousness, given the limited range of design options.

Spencer: He’s no interior designer, Ken. But can I just say, a lot of the crew wanted to buy things from the Ken-dom. I’m not saying who, but a lot of them did.

The Barbie Movie's Production Design Is Top-Notch

The Barbie movie's immersiveness stems from its outstanding production design. While the story briefly explores the real world, most of the film unfolds in the whimsical Barbieland, a series of Dreamhouses that closely resemble the iconic Mattel toys. Within this vibrant, pink paradise, every detail in Barbie's bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen was meticulously crafted. Rather than relying on CGI, the Barbieland set was constructed physically, drawing inspiration from the practicality and artistry of sound stages and painted skies seen in the classic film, The Wizard of Oz. Director Gerwig describes this approach as "authentically artificial."

After being exposed to the power of the patriarchy in the real world, Ken comes back to Barbieland with a newfound understanding. As a result, the production design of the movie takes on a distinctively different vibe. The once perfectly pink paradise of Barbieland is no longer present, replaced instead by the "Mojo Dojo Casa Houses" which are adorned with horse-themed decorations. Ken sees these houses as the ultimate representation of masculinity. The incredible set design leaves no doubt that the Barbie movie is a strong contender for the Academy Award for Best Production Design during Oscar season.