Imaginary Interview with Oskar Kokoschka's Doll

In a fictional dialogue, the doll created by Oskar Kokoschka in 1919 reflects on her existence as a substitute for Alma Mahler. She describes her role as a muse and fetish, accompanying the artist to the opera, posing nude, and being dressed by the housekeeper Reserl. The doll acknowledges her lack of free will, serving only Kokoschka's desires. She contrasts her purpose with that of a doll meant for a child, which would teach responsibility. The narrative culminates in a violent episode where Kokoschka, enraged after two men, Alfred Kruge and Jacob Schnebel, take the doll, smashes a wine bottle on her head, stabs her, and abandons her in the garden. Police investigate but dismiss the 'corpse' as merely a doll. The piece is written by Elisabetta Pagella for Artribune.