‘Mannequins’ were installations and Praxis happenings by Rinos Stefani during the 90’s.
Mannequin dolls in the streets, beaches and ancient sites
In 1991 he started using the life-size dolls in his work. He would exhibit them in the streets, beaches, countryside and ancient sites. In October 1991 he used them in the ancient Tombs of the Kings, Paphos. At a group exhibition of Paphian artists in Kyklos Gallery, Paphos, in November 1991, he showed three naked dolls. Each one had a photograph of Stefani’s grandfather hanging from her neck. Even though at that time the Paphian artists were relatively familiar with this kind of art, for the public in Paphos was something new.
In July 20, 1992 Stefani did the Praxis happening Maa Mannequins in Maa Coral Bay, Cyprus. He placed 20 life-size dolls among the bikini-clad crowd and holiday makers. By this sarcastic and humorous praxis he questions notions of consumer society and the sun & beach tourism. There was also a hint on nakedness, human body and beauty.
