Date: Sun, 15 Sep 2002 20:23:08 +0200
From: Daniel Wolf <djwolf1-AT-axelero.hu>
Subject: PUPT: Re: Puppet Movement/Symbolism


Perhaps they are only exceptions that prove the rule, but certain figures in
Javanese Wayang Purwa are basically immobile -- for example, Guru, the
highest manifest god in the wayang world.  It's true that there is an
increased tendency in contemporary wayang to wave and flail the _kajon_
(_gunungan_, or "tree of life"/mountain/gate figure) about, but it is a
puppet with no moving parts and it is really placed rather than moves of its
own accord.

One could stretch the point even further with the Wayang Beber, a
near-extinct form performed by a dhalang before a roll of images: is this a
form of puppetry, or "just" storytelling?  The figures in a Wayang Beber
roll certainly do not move, but this form of theatre is so intimately
connected with the other Wayang forms, that it is all but impossible to
exclude it.  Perhaps the minimum form of puppetry is indicated not by motion
but by the use of figures?

Daniel Wolf
Composer, Budapest



----- Original Message -----
From: "Stephen Kaplin" <skactw-AT-tiac.net>
To: <puptcrit-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu>
Sent: Sunday, September 15, 2002 1:38 PM
Subject: PUPT: Puppet Movement/Symbolism


> Sorry Mary,
> I agree wholeheartedly with Preston on this. It seemsas he points out,
that
> movement is the defining aspect of puppet theater. Essentially movement as
> metaphor. So how is that different from dance or pantomime? Only in that
> the movement is centered outside the body of the motivating force-- ie,
> that there is some displacement, either large or small between the mover
> and the metaphoric presence on the stage.
>
> I did see the Salzberg "Magic Flute "production that Preston described (in
> Hong Kong of all places.) Like him I found it extraordinary stilted and
> boring, despite the beautiful scenery. Why have these beautiful
marionettes
> simply substitute for the "meaties" (is that on okay technical term?)
Much
> more interesting were the Chinese hand puppets who imitated the wild
> acrobatics and martial arts of the Chinese Opera. For some reason there
the
> substitution was not so annoying.
>
> Stephen
>
>
>
>
>
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