Date: Mon, 22 Aug 2005 14:34:02 -0400 From: Jamie Ashby <jamie.ashby-AT-utoronto.ca> To: puptcrit-driftline.org-AT-lists.driftline.org Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Puppets hall of fame/smithsonian The Canadian Museum of Civilization in Ottawa also has a huge collection, donated by the Ontario Puppetry Association (plus some other acquisitions, I believe). When I was near Ottawa a couple of weeks ago for the Almonte fest, I stopped by to check it out. The student workers had no clue what I was on about, and I was in a rush, so I couldn't pursue the issue. But they ARE there, or in storage, that much is certain. So, if you're interested in viewing them, best talk to a senior/head curator *ahead* of time, as I didn't think to do. Best, Jamie Ashby PhD Candidate Graduate Centre for Study of Drama, University of Toronto Co-founder, PuppUTopiate: the *only* puppet company at the Univ. of Toronto Quoting Alan Cook <alangregorycook-AT-msn.com>: > We may not have a Puppet Hall of Fame, but by virtue of important examples > being in various collections and museums, there is a sort of informal PHOF. > (Oh no! Another acronym!). > > The Bil Baird collection at the MacNider Art Museum, the outstanding items at > Detroit Institute of Arts built around items collected by Paul McPharlin and > others, neat stuff in Atlanta's Center of Puppetry Arts, at UCONN, Brander > Matthews collection stored at Columbia University, and so on. Some have > permanent homes. COPA and I are still working on a permanent berth for an > important collection, which as a permanent museum could be a tremendous > resource for students, teachers, puppeteers, tourists and such. The HARDEST > PART is getting the attention of movers and shakers in a community. > > The Smithsonian collections are immense, and puppets and tons of other items > are mostly hidden away amongst warehouses, and I'd estimate that 90% of their > stuff won't be seen in an average life-time: Hawaiian puppets, 100 year old > Sri Lankan (Ceylon, when they were made) marionettes, animated Hopi kachinas, > Winchell's Jerry Mahoney & sidekick, Bergen's Charlie and lots of > stuff--Howdy Doody & Kermit too. That is treasure---mostly buried treasure. > > > That is one reason I hope I can live long enough to see my own collection > housed in a place of its own, preferably on the West Coast which can boast of > two important hubs of puppetry: San Francisco & Los Angeles areas. We don't > have that yet, but COPA volunteers are working toward that goal > > I am convinced from many positive experiences that such permanent homes for > puppets will show the Public the amazing variety of puppet history, and help > future puppeteers survive.---ALAN COOK > > _______________________________________________ > List address: puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org > Admin interface: > http://lists.driftline.org/listinfo.cgi/puptcrit-driftline.org > Archives: http://www.driftline.org > _______________________________________________ List address: puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org Admin interface: http://lists.driftline.org/listinfo.cgi/puptcrit-driftline.org Archives: http://www.driftline.org
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