Date: Wed, 7 Aug 1996 12:12:53 -0400
From: mum-AT-philadelphia.libertynet.org (Mum Puppettheatre)
Subject: Re: Closing ceremony puppets


The closing ceremony puppets were constructed of fabric tubes kept inflated
by large fans at the bottoms. Air filling the tubes ran out the tops of the
hands and head scattering confetti but resulting in loss of air pressure
and subsequent collapse of the tubes.

Once collapsed, the fabric folded on top of itself, effectively closing off
the tops of the tubes and allowing air pressure to once again build up
inside. At various points equilibrium was established between the weight of
the fabric and the air pressure inside, allowing the figures to stand
upright, but when completely upright the open ends of the arms allowed more
air to escape, causing the body to fall over, and the process recycled
itself. You may remember that although the figures collapsed, the cylinders
of which they were comprised never became flat and deflated as they would
if an air supply was turning on and off (like an air compressor).

The boxes to which the figures were attached had the characteristic shape
of industrial strength commercial blowers, such as used by the heating and
air conditioning industry, which are definitely not battery powered.

All in all a wonderfully effective and simple device for animating an
entire stadium.

On this topic, for those in Australia: What's all the fuss about the
inflatable kangaroos? Play to your strengths, I say, or you could end up
with "Izzie" in Atlanta.




Robert Smythe, Artistic Director

Mum Puppettheatre
126 Leverington Ave.
Philadelphia, PA   19127-2022
(215) 482-6478  Fax (215) 482-9056
mum-AT-libertynet.org




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