The Mermaid Time - Artist Highlight: Alan Syliboy

Alan Syliboy was born and raised in Truro NS, now residing in the Millbrook First Nations community. Alan started drawing at a very young age as a way of comfort in school.

 

 

When Alan was a teenager, Shirley Bear was looking for people who could draw in the different native communities. Shirley heard about Alan’s talents and sought to enroll him in an art program in New England.

 

 

The program was a 3-week intensive and included working under various artists in Salem and New Hampshire. Alan ventured back to the Maritimes (and Maine at times) to work with native communities learning different artistic mediums.  We love Alan’s work and look forward to working with him.

Learn more: http://www.alansyliboy.ca/about/

Photos retrieved from: http://www.alansyliboy.ca/drum-series/

The Mermaid Times - Origin of Puppets

There is a vibrant and rich culture about the origins of puppets, but conflicting theories still persist. It is hard to pinpoint the exact geneses of puppets and puppeteering due to many influences from several different cultures.

 

German Richard Pischel (1849-1908) an Indologist, believes they originate from India. The Sanskrit names “sutradhara” meaning he who holds the strings, and “sutraprota” meaning puppet (Union Internationle de La Marrionette - UNIMA).

 

Another theory suggested by researchers Hermann Reich (1868-1934) and Berthold Laufer (1874-1934), believe there is a dominant Greek culture influence (UNIMA).

 

Originally puppets were not used as entertainment pieces as they are in some performances seen today, however they were more commonly used for religious/ceremonious purposes, or as ancient idols.

 

Learn more information (click here) : https://wepa.unima.org/en/origins-of-the-puppet/

 

Know any other origin stories of puppets? Let us know!

The Mermaid Times - Puppetry & Opera

Combining large-scale puppetry and opera is no easy feat. But leave it to Composer, Philip Glass, Director Phelim McDermott (co-founder of Improbable Theatre), and Associate Director/Set Designer Julian Crouch to re-stage the 1980 version of Satyagraha (April 2008 premiere at The Met; 2018 LA Opera) - a production that has toured the world.

“Satyagraha (Sanskrit for “truth force”) is inspired by Gandhi’s early years in South Africa, where he developed his groundbreaking ideas about nonviolent political resistance. A visually stunning presentation—starring fast-rising tenor Sean Panikkar as Gandhi—links past, present and future to illuminate a powerful meditation on the lasting effects of human goodness.” - LA Opera

Satyagraha Opera (LA Opera) 2018 excerpts Click the link for video highlights.

Il Barbiere di Siviglia, produced by the Dutch National Opera is another example of how puppetry can enhance operatic storytelling. The extraordinary vision of bringing new life to opera through the art of puppetry is striking, especially with Julian Crouch (Set/Costume Designer).

Designer, Julian Crouch excerpts Click the link for video highlights.