Men and Dolls

• Men and Dolls

Commentary photographer Benita Marcussen (Benita Marcussen):

"Are not you afraid?" - this was one of the first questions I asked when I started my project about men living with puppets.

At first I just wanted to see how well made these dolls, but then I realized that this story can destroy some prejudices with which I faced in the beginning of the project. Six months later, I finally got to this "community dolls lovers." They have a secret meeting in Wales was appointed, and I hit the road.

One of the first people I met were the parents of 55-year-old owner Karl dolls. I was surprised how the elderly react to the presence of real sex dolls in their house. It was then that I realized that this story a few faces. So far, I met six men. Two of them are married and have children. The two divorced after 13 years of marriage. One man threw his bride just before the wedding, and one never had a serious relationship with a woman. All of these men are different stories and reasons why they live with dolls. All of them are different, although the total is still there between them - they say that the dolls facilitate the pain of loneliness. "

55-year-old lover of dolls Karl (right) lives in a big house with my parents and Joffrey Doreen in Oxford.

Everard carries her doll Annushka in the van to go to rally community dolls owners, which is held annually in the UK. At this event, the owners of dolls from around the world demonstrate his "concubines."

Often in these dolls are a different person, to be able to change their 'mood'. This doll Bianca starred in a comedic drama "Lars and the Real Girl" with Ryan Gosling in the lead role.

Robert and his doll queen Katie. It was called so because in the community dolls fans refer to her as a present to the queen.

The men each year going to the congress lovers dolls in Llanthony Priory in the south-east part of Wales, where arrange a photo shoot and excursions for their dolls.

"Man-shadow" woke up with her doll Carli in the Welsh town. Carly made according to the "Teddy Babe", it is softer and lighter than silicone dolls, and is primarily used to cuddle and sleep together.

Annabelle "lives" with its owner Everard in the UK. It got its name in honor of the heroine of the film "Sucker Punch."

The silicone dolls are fragile and prone to like this "injury". This doll named Courtney belongs "reindeer herders". Her appearance is based on the appearance of his wife, who died of cancer a few years ago.

Doll, ready to be shipped from the warehouse of the company "Abyss Creation" in California. To create a silicone doll takes on average 80 hours.

"Baron von Doll" with her doll Tanya. Like many other members of the community of fans of dolls, he decided to remain anonymous because of the possible negative reaction of others.

"Nestsio 50" doll and Lily live in the Netherlands with three other dolls. This man has never been a "live" girlfriend. Dolls help him cope with loneliness.

Chris from Pennsylvania pushes the stroller with her dolls named Lala Salama and Sharon. Sharon - silicone doll, a long time do not bring it.

Teeth stock "Abyss Creation" in California. The company "Abyss Creation" became the world's first manufacturer of silicone dolls.

Chris and his two dolls - Lala Salama (left), which means "sweet dreams" in Swahili, and Sharon, named after the heroine of the series "Battlestar Galactica" - Lieutenant Sher "Boomer" Valeri.