The Mind Creative APRIL 2014 | Page 23

The Mind Creative March 2014 At a time when the proliferation of digital media has saturated live performance and the craft of the puppeteer is called into question, the puppet character King Kong is an impressive example of a puppet that employs all of the advantages of digital technology while highlighting the presence and talent of the puppeteer. The careful and considerate crafting of visible and invisible puppetry techniques allow the audience to experience a sense of wonder and magic much like audiences witnessing the marvels of automata over two hundred years ago. In embracing new technologies and innovations without eliminating any of the traditional skill of the puppeteer, King Kong is indeed a puppet of the future. Photo: Jeff Busby 23