File puptcrit/puptcrit.0508, message 407


From: "Alan Cook" <alangregorycook-AT-msn.com>
To: puptcrit-driftline.org-AT-lists.driftline.org
Date: Mon, 22 Aug 2005 02:17:02 GMT
Subject: [Puptcrit] puppet preservation


Of course I agree that not all puppets are equal; some are more equal than others.

Having spent the main part of my life trying to preserve and exhibit puppets, and preserve their history, one develops a sense of what is worth preserving.

The Indianapolis Children's Museum hosted the PofA touring Exhibit, and while we were there, I had the chance to see what all they collected. They had a nice BIG building, NEW! Their only concern was that the loading dock was not designed to accomodate Moving Vans of the size we used. We had to park at the far end of the parking lot, unload into smaller trucks which did fit the loading dock. Over the years this extra step could cost big bucks.

When we were there, the museum tended to accept EVERYTHING donated. From a child's potty chair, to old board games. No surprise that they quickly acquired some stuff that was not so important. Other items could serve as stuff visiting kids COULD handle.

So with some puppets I also would not be upset if they were repainted or even "improved". But I would be unhappy if strings were cut on certain marionettes because that is part of the archeology. In fact, at a PofA Fest exhibit, strings WERE cut by a volunteer, after being told NOT to do so, and valuable information was lost. "Well-meaning" is not a synonym for "knowledgeable". At the very least, diagraming on paper, the strings' positions on the control can help. But with some trick marionettes, even the original length of the strings needs to be maintained. 

It usually isn't that difficult to recognize which puppets are "important", but we do have some puppet makers who are much too modest, and at least one of them was at the 2005 Festival.

As long as PofA has existed, there have been many means of finding homes for old puppets. There are private sales, private and public auctions, and personal donations to various individuals and puppet centers.

A virtue of PofA is that one can be a member of an odd-ball family, and we can develop friendships and share interests, including the preservation of puppet history. In my case, many people I have worked with have given me significant puppets because they have seen exhibits I have worked on for over 50 years. Others have knowingly sold me puppets for way below market value.

PofA has many virtues and strengths which I applaud. But there is the perpetual problem of leadership turnover, and new Trustees don't always have awareness of why past decisions were made or even IF they were made.

If you have not looked at the UK Puppet Auction photos, take a peek. The auction may be over, but the virtual museum effect is still accessible. Thank you Ray DaSilva!

ALAN COOK

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