Date: Fri, 28 Jul 2006 19:49:09 -0500
To: puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org
Subject: [Puptcrit] Shadow puppet sticks


Folks,

I'm looking for some new ideas for center control rods for shadow puppets. I've figured out how to use desktop lasers to cut intricate shadow puppets from acrylic, cardboard and mylar. Now I am looking for a quick and simple way of connecting these floppy figures to a rigid center control rod.

Now, the basic idea is a chopstick split halfway down the middle, and tied or glued to the puppet. But I am trying to come up with a more elegant solution, because these puppets are, like the Indonesian puppets, meant to seen from both sides of the screen, and exhist as art objects themselves. 

<http://homepage.mac.com/dandmcguire/ShadowPuppet/PhotoAlbum72.html>

These images give the basic idea - the traditional leather puppets have a wood or horn stick that is split in the center. The shadow puppet fits in the split. Usually, needle and thread or fishing line is used to pull the split ends of the stick together through holes in the puppet, squeezing the leather between the split stick.

Q: Can anyone think of a perfect fastener product that would connect the stick and puppet and stick and snap it tightly together? I've considered rivets and twist ties, but am looking for something very quick, easy, and unobtrusive.

The traditional sticks, whether made of wood or horn, have a contoured grip and pointed end which are stabbed into the "stage" (styrofoam or water "noodles" are best). Both ends of the sticks taper to nothing. The horn sticks can be bent to follow curves of puppet, so that the puppet itself need not have a straight line down the center. Now I don't want to whittle these sticks myself, and I wonder:

Q: Is there a way to cast them out of plastic or some other kind of material? Something that could be shaped, or perhaps with wire inside to allow them to bend to the contour lines of the puppet? Could these be produced in lots of a couple of hundred?

Any ideas very appreciated.

Cheers,
DMCG
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