Puppetry: A World HistoryPuppets have existed in one form or another in nearly every culture throughout human history. From the intriguing shadow puppets of Java to the romantically challenged Miss Piggy, from African carved-wood actors with outsize genitalia to merry maniac Mr. Punch, puppets are incredibly diverse, reflecting the varied cultures, environments, and personalities of their creators. In this lavishly illustrated volume, Eileen Blumenthal provides a comprehensive overview of the history and techniques of puppetry, examining the unique nature and abilities of puppets and illustrating the countless roles they (and their creators) have played in societies across the globe for thousands of years. She draws on examples from an astonishing array of puppeteers, performances, and historical artifacts, providing readers with an in-depth view of this intricate world of constructed actors and the eclectic, and often eccentric, artists who create them. With a lively and accessible text and a wealth of illustrations, this one-of-a kind volume will be treasured by lovers of both visual and theater arts. |
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Africa Albrecht Roser American puppeteer animated Asia Asian audience automatons ballet body bottom Bread and Puppet Brigitte Pougeoise bunraku carved cast century B.C.E. ceremonies characters Charleville-Mézières clown constructed actors contemporary Courtesy created Czech dance dancers dolls early effigies eighteenth-century entertainment Europe featured figures film France French Guignol hand puppets handler head Henson hero human images Japanese Julie Taymor Karagiozis Karagöz Kasperle Lee Breuer legs life-size live actors live-actor theater Mahabharata manipulated marionettes masks mechanical Michael Meschke miniature movable move Museum nineteenth-century Obraztsov opera painted Paris performers Peter pets Photo political popular Punch and Judy puppet artist puppet shows puppet theater puppetry Richard Termine ritual rod puppets satire scene screen sculpture Sergei Obraztsov sexual shadow puppets shadow theater shape sometimes spirit stage story strings technique television Théâtre theatrical traditional troupe twentieth century wayang golek wayang kulit William Kentridge wooden York