CLOSE TO YOU International Puppet Festival Taipei 2012
In the chilly autumn air of 2010, Close To You International Puppet Festival made its first appearance in Taipei.
The presentation of the festival was unique in that it utilized a guide who took the audience through the streets of Taipei's urban landscape during the autumn evening, in order to reach each unconventional performance space; under the glow of moonlight and street light, every one of those little journeys was full of excitement. The objects and puppets inside each intimate space were lit as if by the light of a sprinkler, playing out their own entrancing stories.
Yong-Kang Area
10.12-14 [Fri.-Sun.] 19:30
10.13-14 [Sat.-Sun.] 14:30
The Yellow “O”
Thailand｜The Wandering Moon and Endless Journey｜Light and Shadow｜Non-verbal
The story begins with a girl opening a book and magic brings everything in the book to life.
A rabbit jumps out of the book when she turns to page 3 where she starts a magical journey with the “Yellow O.”
“Yellow O” was initially created for children with disabilities in 2009. This non-verbal imaginative show invites you to the festival of light, shadow, images and sound.
Venue｜ YABOO CAFE’(No.26, Ln. 41, Yongkang St., Da’an Dist., Taipei City)
Mrs. Marven: Memories Kodate
Taiwan｜Jeff Hsu｜Puppets｜Non-verbal
Nobody knew how worried Madam Marven was. She always sat in front of the window and seemed worried. One day, she realized that her hair color had started to turn into a disgusting green.
By using puppetry and dreamlike music, the odd but lovable character will gently share her stories with you in an intimated space full of everyday objects and bring you into the legendary secret kitchen.
Venue｜ Caffe' Libero (No.1, Ln. 243, Jinhua St., Zhongzheng Dist., Taipei City)
White
Taiwan｜Derrick Wei｜Objects+Body｜Non-verbal
Surrounded by a white sheet, white skin, and white fluorescent lamps in the hospital, I dedicated my body to you while you were leaving so you might dance away with lively steps in spite of your heavy body. I’m here standing in the present, but you are there in the memory. Go through the white tunnel and we shall meet.
Inspired by the impression of white, Derrick Wei wrote down his memory of his father. He transforms the white paper into the image of his father, the scene of the hospital, and his childhood.
Venue｜Boss Art Gallery (1F., No.180, Chaozhou St., Da’an Dist., Taipei City)
Min Sheng Community
10.16-20 [Tue.-Sat.] 19:30
A Chance Shadow. Part II: Federico Garcia Lorca
America｜Double Image Theater Lab｜Objects+Light and Shadow+Installation｜English
“A Chance Shadow. Part II: Federico Garcia Lorca” is a poetic play inspired by the Spanish poet and playwright Federico Garcia Lorca (1898~1936). By using the elements of pop-up arts, Shadow Theater and Toy Theater, the show brings the audience into the poets’ romantic and historical worlds.
The show is the recipient of a 2012 Project Grant from the Jim Henson Foundation.
Venue｜Sonnentor Cafe (No.421, Fujin St., Songshan Dist., Taipei City)
24hr Operation
Taiwan｜Mei Hua Hsueh+Der Fong Ke｜Objects+Toys｜Chinese
Do you open up a newspaper, have the same breakfast and browse the unimportant stories on the society page day after day? Yesterday’s drama will be gone by the time you eat your breakfast this morning. When routine living becomes your whole life and events become your destiny, you will also become one of the characters on the society page.
The heaviest burden is the lightest. It is God’s smile.
By using the actors’ body and everyday objects, Mei Hua Hsueh and Der Fong Ke will present an intimated but strange impression of the society.
Venue｜6636 Advertising & Creativity
(No.1, Aly. 8, Ln. 36, Sec. 5, Minsheng E. Rd., Songshan Dist., Taipei City)
Dionysus Hangover
Taiwan｜Ren Zhong River Lin｜Action+Objects｜Non-verbal
Everyone loves to drink, even Nietzsche. Dionysus, the God of wine, who was born from the thigh of Zeus, is also the God of ritual madness and ecstasy. The revelry and the passion in the wine release the order of our body and mind. They are also the material of games and ceremonies.
Ren Zhong River Lin will reincarnate as Dionysus and have dinner with the audience; meanwhile, he will perform with objects and actions.
Venue｜Moon Wine (No.2-6, Ln. 69, Sec. 5, Minsheng E. Rd., Songshan Dist., Taipei City)
Ren-Ai Roundabout
10.19-21 [Fri.-Sun.] 19:30
10.20-21 [Sat.-Sun.] 14:30
Alice’s Tea Party
Israel｜Leora Wise+Denis Sobolov｜Hebrew (with Chinese subtitle)｜Paper puppet+Live video+Live music
Alice’s Tea Party is a multimedia performance, in which paper dolls heroes from the famous story meet in live animation, accompanied by live music.
Alice meets the three crazy friends and discovers the Hatter’s secret: why the time is stuck on 6 o’clock at the never ending Tea Party.
Venue｜Ever Harvest Art Gallery (2F., No.107, Sec. 4, Ren Ai Rd., Da An Dist., Taipei City)
I Have a Name
Taiwan｜Robin Erik Ruizendaal｜Puppet+Objects+Video｜Non-verbal
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it"
George Santayana
This play celebrates the joys of childhood in the shadow of war and genocide. I Have a Name does not focus on the horrors, but instead is silently remembering several children. The play takes the audience on a voyage of realization what happens when we are not aware of the forces of evil, and that this can happen again anywhere in the world, anytime. The play was inspired after viewing the book ‘In Memoriam’ by Guus Luijters and Aline Pennewaard. The book contains a list of names, as well as 3000 photos, of all the 17.964 Jewish, Roma and Sinti children that were deported from the Netherlands between 1942 and 1945, and killed in concentration camps.
All proceeds from this performance will be donated to Amnesty International
Venue｜Nou Gallery (No.232, Sec. 4, Ren Ai Rd., Da An Dist., Taipei City)
The Greatest Thing Since The Bread
Taiwan｜Yen Ting Tseng+Chia Hui Chen｜Objects｜Non-verbal
This puppet show will be performed with live-baking, a journey of fermentation.
A vast desert of wheatmeal will evolve into an oasis with rain and sunshine.
Right here, you can chew every tree, every chair, and every friend who passes by.
They whisper to each other as if they are sharing the hidden secrets that weren’t written in any recipe.
This is an edible mini puppet show. Flour is the puppet and will be brought to life though air, water and imagination. Come and join the baking time!
Venue｜Abby Rose Learning (1F., No.4, Ln. 66, Siwei Rd., Da’an Dist., Taipei City)
