Greed & Power
This project will focus on the subject of puppetry as the main topic from an experimental art perspective. We would like to evoke students’ creativity through the exploration of materials and use empirical study as a method of learning. The Dada movement with Constructivism philosophies and traditional puppetry give us the areas of focus for this project. And Ubu Roi by Alfred Jarry will be the overarching background for the project.
Design and make a rod puppet from the character, Ubu Roi synthesizing with one of these given deadly sins (Greed, Gluttony, Wrath.) You have to figure out how best to create it, you have to give it form – designed to fit a specific role and illuminate the essence of your character give it life and able to perform.
Here are the 2 rounds of sketches that i had (chose the last one to execute!)
Throughout the process, I had the chance to explore on the different techniques as well as materials that would suit the aesthetics as well as the overall mechanics for the puppet to work!
Prototype 1
In the first prototype, I tried using cardboards as well as gold gloves to create the royal hand look. That did not go as planned... The cardboard was too flimsy and had the rectangle structure. If it were to be continuously bent, the finger parts might break...
Prototype 2
Thought of using styrofoam hands, cutting up the fingers and adding plastics at the joint area for bending mechanics, and it worked! The mechanics and the aesthetics were working so well and I was happy with the results.
