Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis photographer is living in a Barbie world
Minneapolis vintage Barbie photographer
Minneapolis photographer Nicole Houff uses vintage Barbie dolls as her muse to create unique photographs.
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Long before Margot Robbie was Barbie, there was Nicole Houff.
Houff describes herself as a Minneapolis photographer who is living in a plastic world. Her Barbie obsession is next-level, but it’s her sense of humor and sarcasm that really makes her unique.
Her own dream house in northeast Minneapolis may not be the usual Barbie aesthetic, but don’t let that fool you: Houff is a Barbie girl living in a Minnesota world.
“Barbie being a cultural icon since 1959: There is no other toy that you can say that about,” she said.
She capped her collection at about 100 dolls, stored in an old library card catalog. Thanks to her background in studio art, about 16 years ago, she took her passion from the toy to the tripod.
Imagination, each print is Houff’s creation. Her photos are brought to life through hours of searching for outfits, props and backdrops, plus extreme attention to detail.
“Because you’re working at such a macro level, I think it’s just the finessing of the doll so that Barbie or Ken’s posture and how they’re sitting or standing actually kind of emulates a human,” Houff said.
Her art showcases vintage Barbies, and she thinks of it as a critique of that time period.
“The 50s and 60s aesthetic – it’s a totally plastic view of society. And if you look at the entertainment at the time, it’s like these … very oddly construed gender roles,” she said.
Finding the perfect accessories has connected this Barbie photographer with doll lovers across the world. She shows her photos at local galleries and art fairs, in addition to selling them on her website and Etsy.
“When (people) first meet me, they assume that I’m going to be very pink and girly girl. And then, I disappoint them,” she said with a laugh.
However, what people likely don’t realize is Houff and her art explore different sides of the doll. One of her absolute favorite photos is Godzilla vs. Barbie.
She even has Minnesota-inspired photos, including Barbie and Ken posed outside the Uptown Theater and Minnesota State Fair Barbie.
“I think the thing with Barbie is that she can be anything and anyone, and that’s what the coolest thing about Barbie is,” Houff said.
People are also surprised to learn Houff isn’t just jumping on the bandwagon at a time when the whole world is buzzing about Barbie.
“It’s really exciting to have her in the ether. I think (the movie’s) really changed a lot of the dialogue with her, it’s changed who is even thinking about her, and it’s just made it very exciting,” Houff said.
Houff is tickled pink to see that excitement and happiness in her photographs can provide nostalgia and some smiles.
“That’s what I like: It’s like permission to just be yourself,” Houff said.
MINNEAPOLIS — A man is in custody after allegedly stabbing another man to death in Minneapolis.
According to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara, officers arrested a 58-year-old man for a fatal stabbing that occurred near a bus shelter at Nicollet Avenue and South Fifth Street.
A criminal complaint says that on Monday at approximately 11:52 p.m., Minneapolis police officers located a man described to be in his 30’s on the ground and bleeding from potentially life-threatening stab wounds.
Despite offering aid at the scene, the man later succumbed to his injuries on Friday at Hennepin Healthcare.
Police say they tracked the suspect’s movements on camera until he was located and arrested near Colfax Avenue an Lake Street at approximately 12:21 a.m.
The man as taken to Hennepin Healthcare for evaluation of an injury he sustained prior to his arrest. The man was booked into the Hennepin County Jail and later released pending charges from jail on Thursday.
Then, on Friday, the man was formally charged with first-degree assault and an arrest warrant was issued, said a criminal complaint. The man was arrested later that day and remains in police custody.
“I am grateful to the officers and investigators who worked quickly to bring justice for the victim and his family,” said O’Hara. “While nothing can bring back this man, I hope that our work brings some sense of justice for his family during this difficult time.”
Police are still investigating the cause of the stabbing.
Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis crash: Teniki Steward charged over fatal incident | Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
A devastating high-speed collision in Minneapolis has led to the deaths of two women and injuries to two others, prompting serious charges against Teniki Steward, a 38-year-old Minneapolis resident. The incident, which unfolded at the intersection of Emerson Avenue North and 26th Avenue North, has left the community grappling with the tragic loss and a renewed focus on road safety.
Details of the Incident
According to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office, Steward was behind the wheel of a Buick Enclave, allegedly traveling at excessive speeds and running multiple red lights before the fatal crash. Authorities report that she narrowly avoided a collision earlier at Emerson Avenue North and Broadway Avenue North. Tragically, moments later, her vehicle struck a Ford Explorer, killing both of its occupants:
- Ester Jean Fulks, 53 years old
- Rose Elaine Reece, 57 years old
The crash also injured a 17-year-old pedestrian waiting for a school bus and a passenger in Steward’s vehicle. Steward herself sustained injuries in the crash.
Background and Charges
Court documents reveal that Steward’s driver’s license had been revoked in November 2023 due to a failure to provide proof of insurance. At the time of the crash, she was operating a vehicle without a valid license, as confirmed by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty addressed the case, emphasizing the preventable nature of the tragedy. “This is another completely avoidable incident of a car being driven irresponsibly with disastrous consequences,” she stated.
Steward is now in custody and faces the following charges:
- Two counts of criminal vehicular homicide
- Two counts of criminal vehicular operation
If convicted, she could face up to 10 years in prison per count and fines of up to $20,000.
Community Impact and Ongoing Investigation
The crash has reignited discussions about reckless driving and public safety in Minneapolis. Local authorities and community leaders are urging drivers to prioritize safety and adhere to traffic laws to prevent similar tragedies.
The medical conditions of the injured victims have not been disclosed, and investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash are ongoing.
A Call for Action
This heartbreaking incident underscores the devastating consequences of reckless driving. As the legal process unfolds, the Minneapolis community mourns the loss of two lives and hopes for justice and healing for all those affected.
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Minneapolis, MN
Red Dragon, beloved Uptown Minneapolis restaurant, closing after nearly half a century
MINNEAPOLIS — The menu offers plenty of options, but fans of the Red Dragon say they’ll miss how the restaurant really nourished their souls.
“It feels like family,” patron Kathleen Spitzer told WCCO. “Everybody — the servers and bartenders — are so nice. It feels like a home away from home.”
Red Dragon’s current owner, Phil Wong, said the restaurant and bar will shut down on Sunday after nearly 50 years in business; it first opened on Dec. 29, 1976.
“People love this place. They like to come here and drink and hang out,” Wong lamented. “I love them all. They show a lot of love to us and they enjoy our establishment.”
According to Wong, 73, finances and his longevity were contributing factors. The former engineer took over the business from his brother in 2007.
“It costs a little bit more — the food, the meat, the vegetables,” he added. “Minneapolis, too, the minimum wage went up.”
Still, Wong said he leaves with no regrets.
“I feel good about it. I think it’s time to move on,” he said. “We’re ending on a good note.”
Red Dragon is the latest of several Twin Cities eateries to shutter in 2024, including the St. Paul staple Tavern on Grand. Even newer restaurants, like Kim’s from award-winning chef Ann Kim, also in Uptown, could not survive.
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