From: Ed Atkeson <edatkeson-AT-earthlink.net>
Date: Thu, 22 Mar 2007 13:36:58 -0400
To: puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] what are puppets used for in todays world?


 >>> hi, my name is Aden Bochnik, and i have a question about puppets.

 >>> what are puppets used for in today's world?
i have a project about puppets and all i can come up with is, T.V, and 
puppets plays, can you help me out.
--------------
Hi Aden,
Your question about the uses of puppetry is a little confusing. Puppets 
don't have a use like lumber or steel or automobiles, they have a use 
like paintings or music. Which is to say that in their most important 
setting, they don't have a "use" at all.

Say you have some friends over and you put on a puppet show after 
dinner, something you made up or a script you like and performed with a 
friend. It might be really funny, a great time, everyone enjoys it a 
lot, but what use is it really? The "use" is to give and receive this 
magical happening. This is the most important use of puppets.

You mention puppet shows, well puppet shows are theatre. What is the 
"use" of theatre? See what I mean? Puppetry is one of those things that 
allows us to express our culture, invent our culture. They can be used 
for education or in a commercial, but the real "use" is to make art. 
And art is useless if it's working right.

A puppet's main use is to cause wonder and amazement, laughter, 
thoughtful contemplation, its use is to be beautiful and thrilling. 
Puppets exist to deliver a story that mixes with the stories in the 
head of whoever is watching and makes questions and answers dance 
through the minds of everyone.

just my opinion, hope this helps.
Ed 

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