The School of the Art Institute Performance Dept. and Chicago Puppet Fest present:
In Hindu cosmology, the rhythmic energy of Shiva’s Tandava dance is the source of all movement in the universe, propelling the cycle of creation, preservation, and dissolution. The purpose of the dance is to release humans from illusion. Since the puppet body can be an extension of the puppeteer’s body or a separate object that forces us to negotiate with matter that is distinct from our human bodies, object performances such as Livsmedlet Theatre’s Invisible Lands can readily explore how human consciousness might transcend the boundaries of our own bodies. The Tandava dance takes place in Chidambaram, the center of the universe, which actually lies within the heart. Thus Theatre de L’Entrouvert’s “Anywhere” stages a journey that illustrates how can we find transcendence through immanence on the path to self-knowledge.
Moderated by Dr. Paulette Richards with panelists Ishmael Falke (Invisible Lands), Camille Trouvé (R.A.G.E.), and Elise Vigneron (Anywhere).
Named in honor of Little Theatre of Chicago director Ellen Van Volkenburg, who coined the term “puppeteer” in 1912, the festival’s annual symposium brings together puppetry enthusiasts, scholars and festival artists from Chicago and the U.S. for free discussions around the intersection of puppetry with other disciplines and ideas.
Dates/Times:
Saturday, January 21 at 10am
Location: Studebaker Theater, 410 S. Michigan Ave., and streaming via HowlRound
Cost: FREE, no reservations required
Running Time: 120 minutes
ADA Accessible? Yes
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The Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival advances the art of puppetry by presenting sophisticated programs vital to the cultural life of Chicago. Engaging and inspiring the largest and most diverse audiences for puppetry possible, the Festival is the biggest event dedicated to puppetry in North America and traditionally offers more than 100 activities annually including performances, workshops, artist instensives, free neighborhood events and symposia to audiences up to 14,000 over 11 days each January. The organization is also home to other key initiatives, including the Chicago Puppet Studio and Chicago Puppet Lab, that nurture the development of puppeteers and deepen the field locally, nationally and internationally with the ultimate goal of promoting peace, equality, mutual understanding, and justice locally and globally.
Fine Arts Building
410 S Michigan Ave, Studio 310
Chicago, IL 60605
Administrative Office:
312 753 3234
info@chicagopuppetfest.org
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