Tall Puppets - March 2002
Guidelines for Construction
Chris Carey, professional artist and Senior Lecturer at Northland Polytechnic is responsible for coordinating the design, construction and parading of the Tall Puppets in the Endless Summer Festival. The building of the first Tall Puppets gave many insights into construction techniques and the experience gained is to be applied to the building of new puppets.
The theme for the design of puppets for 2002 has been purposely chosen to promote the unique identity of Northland. As considerable media attention will focus on this unique feature, it is essential that a high standard of construction is maintained. The following criteria have therefore been established to meet this need.
Design and Construction of Puppets:
1. The design theme for 2002 shall be �Birthplace of a Nation�.
2. Each puppet is to have a Puppet Master who will liaise with Chris Carey.
3. The design of all puppets is to be overseen by a visual artist or Head of School Arts Department.
4. Construction method and building of puppet to be overseen by the design artist.
5. Chris Carey will monitor the design and construction progress and will be available to visit the construction site for advice and problem solving if required.
6. Puppets to be a minimum of three metres in height.
7. Puppets to be constructed from light materials, eg polystyrene, paper mache, wire netting, cloth, plastic or aluminium pipe, etc.
8. Puppets must be able to move and interact; ie the puppeteer(s) should be able to effect some movement of the puppet arms, and as much other movement as is possible (hands, eyelids, head turning, sounds, etc.)
9. Puppets to be either walked, carried upright or pushed on wheels or trolleys. Motorised vehicles will not be permitted in the parade.
10. It will be the responsibility of each Puppet Master to engage the assistance of the number of puppeteers required to operate their puppet and to guarantee the availability of their crew to participate in the Tall Puppet Parade. Tall Puppets will also be required to do a walk through town on selected days throughout the course of the festival. Puppet Masters must ensure their crews are prepared to undertake this activity.
Funding of Puppet Design and Construction
Puppet Masters who wish to apply for funding should contact Chris Carey. Funds are available to qualifying artists.
We invite artists from all over NZ and the world to participate in our parade.
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