From: "Alan Cook" <alangregorycook-AT-msn.com>
To: Springgoddess-AT-aol.com
Date: Sun, 12 Aug 2007 16:54:31 GMT
Cc: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Subject: [Puptcrit] Standards in Puppetry


Hey, Spring Goddess, I enjoyed the 2007 Festival. I was impressed by the wide range of offerings, but did not find all the performances to be of top quality---part of that comes from economics. But I thought many had redeemng qualities or moments. But as you point out, Joe Cashore's puppets (beautifully made and engineered) also were beautifully animated. Phillip Huber is another serious puppeteer, and Ronnie Burkett's sermon is based on serious puppeteering. That was a wonderful Fest Opening, worth the trip!

For many (including me) Bruce Schwartz was an inspiring performer.

The unifyinging quality is in beautiful movement.

I also watch squirrels and neighbor cats in my yard and admire how they move. Last night I attended SAINT PLAYS  here in Los Angeles and there was some fine movement by masked performers as well as puppets---I did not get all the meaning in the script, but was able to let it just "wash over me" (the same way I heard Dylan Thomas read poems in my college freshman year). 

For me, Bruce was a poet of puppetry, so is Joe.

A friend has a small dog. The other day she showed me a still photo of the dog watching a turtle (not known for speedy movement)--there was so much intense interest in the dog's pose---arrested movement if you will. Puppets can do that, and I saw parallels in last night's show. It made the trip to the theater worth my time.

I have taught kids' puppet classes---subtle movement is rarely a major component---but what they had was irrepressible spontaneity, another worthy quality in puppet shows. Kds do that better than anyone.

Another pleasing factor of the 2007 Festival was the (for us) large turnout, the chance to see and talk with many people. I was very happy to meet so many younger puppeteers this time. I believe strongly in passing the torch, to have a sense of roots and puppet family history. Among the younger puppeteers there was interest in our roots, an awareness of who our best performers were or are. 

As the current pupcrit discussion shows, there are existing standards, which not all meet. But some do, which gives meaning to it all.

No-one has yet mentioned that in all the arts, not every work is a masterpiece; most of it is not. That's why the good stuff can cost  millions, but Vincent van Gogh sold one painting fo the rough equivalent of $24 and NOW his stuff sells in the millions.

The challenge is to not starve while improving one's art.

Most art is destined to end up at the thrift shop, but not all of it belongs there. As a collector, I have rescued things from dumpsters, and also have missed rescuing important artifacts of puppetry, sometimes missing by  a day or few weeks.

I do what I can. Just like all the others on puptcrit.

ALAN COOK

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