OBJECTS IN PLAY

Materials at Play: The Artistry of Puppets

 Materials in Play examines the dialogue between substance and action, asserting that an object only realizes its full expressive power of material in motion. In this exhibition, we explore how artists harness the unique physical language of their media to transform the  inanimate into the animate. Because every medium—from traditional wood to industrial foam— dictates its own theatrical physics, these artists must master the inherent logic of their materials to command the stage. 

 The exhibition opens with works prioritizing performer mobility and audience engagement.  Chantelle Rytter’s large-scale skeleton puppet demonstrates how resourceful, lightweight  materials allow the large figure to move dramatically and with a grace that bridges the gap between performer and audience. Similarly, Qate Bean’s Scrap Puppy  utilizes tactile elements like yarn and leather to create an immersive, vivid, and instantly relatable experience for younger audiences.  

 The exhibition then shifts from these kinetic, highly mobile forms toward the focused narrative tableaus and intricate precision of the workshop. Walter’s carved clay and wooden tabletop  puppets invite an intimate engagement with minute narrative detail. Along with this same  attention to detail, Paulette Richards’  Maternal Memories —a  glass-encased  Karakuri  hobby  horse demonstrates how small, precise mechanical movements bring a whimsical fantasy  character to life. 

 The exhibition concludes with a shadow puppet showcase featuring Damon’s  Shadow Quest series, which manipulates scale and shadow through stylized imagery, color, and light. By pairing the physical puppets with an on-screen display, the installation vividly captures the fluid evolution of shadow puppetry from a live craft into a mesmerizing, cinematic performance. 

 By displaying finished pieces alongside works in progress, the exhibition showcases the puppeteer’s craft: the hinges, rods, and skeletons that enable movement. Ultimately, these  works reveal that no material is too mundane for the stage. In an era of uncertainty, these artists remind us of art’s capacity to offer beauty and inspiration, proving that any medium can be animated through the marriage of material and vision.

Reception hosted by The Stone Mountain Woman’s Club