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wayang kulit

Posted on May 14, 2006 @ 2:33 pm by massimo | Filed under: blog, fun, indonesia, mythology, travel, wordpress

wayang shadow puppets kentridge guggheneim aynaku illustration adobe

Wayang kulit (shadow puppets) symbolise the triumph of good over evil. They are prevalent in Java and Bali and are without a doubt, the best known of the Indonesian wayang (theatre). Kulit means skin and refers to the leather construction of the puppets that are supported with buffalo horn handles and control rods. The stories are usually drawn from the Ramayana: Rama goes into exile in the forest with his brother Laxman and his wife Sita. When Sita is abducted by the evil Ravana, Rama and his allies head out to rescue his wife and to destroy the ten-headed Ravana. My illustration refers to this show as seen by the audience, at least as it happened to me in Ubud, Bali -1990. A few viewers jammed in room and sitting on the floor. The visual portion of the performance consisted of shadows cast on a cotton screen by an oil lamp. I also remember clearly the peculiar voice of the Dalang introducing the principal characters and suggesting the beginning of the plot.
I was so impressed by the force of this theatrical tradition in signifying the idea of struggle between the forces of good and evil and took a great interest in it, that I couldn’t miss William Kentridge’s Black Box show last winter in Berlin. Kentridge has crafted a complex, multimedia performance combining puppets and animation, employing objects and their cast shadows to develop a fascinating multilayered work.

Illustration Friday’s topic is angels & devils

This entry was posted on Sunday, May 14th, 2006 and is filed under blog, fun, indonesia, mythology, travel, wordpress. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

11 people have left comments

Amazing work of art!My mother had one one these balinese shadow puppets.Beautiful depiction of the puppet show and the very interested audience!!!

Catraven wrote on May 14, 2006 - 3:22 pm CEST

Oh how I love your style! Fascinating story and striking illustration.

Amy Zaleski wrote on May 14, 2006 - 4:55 pm CEST

Fantastic! it´s very charming, us usual :)

lu*** wrote on May 14, 2006 - 7:01 pm CEST

your perspective on life,art and the world are so wonderful and inspiring! Your life seems so full and rich! I love this illo and have always been fascinated by this tradition of shadow puppets! Beautiful and interesting work!!!

valgalart wrote on May 14, 2006 - 8:05 pm CEST

I am a big fan of Wayang Kulit Theater! Interesting, what you make of the puppets, you invented your very personal style. I had not know about William Kentridge, his site looks fantastic, too bad I missed that show. Next time you have to drop me an email in time :)

cristosova wrote on May 15, 2006 - 12:23 am CEST

Very nice! And thanks for your comment. :-)

Willie wrote on May 15, 2006 - 3:12 pm CEST

this is a very interesting concept. i have never seen an actual shadow puppet show but its fascinating that you came up with an illo for this. and i ‘almost’ 8) envy you for being such a wide traveller… as i have this philo.. “travelling opens new places to explore”

velvet wrote on May 15, 2006 - 4:31 pm CEST

Sounds as though it was a wonderful spectacle and your illustration looks very atmospheric - brings it to me in a wonderful way.

Caroline wrote on May 15, 2006 - 6:01 pm CEST

Interesting and informative post and image. Thanks! I love the puppets’ spookiness and the way you’ve done that blonde hair. Nice work.

Roz wrote on May 17, 2006 - 6:50 pm CEST

Wonderful concept for this week’s theme! LOVE the puppets in the shadows…FANTASTIC!

txartcgal wrote on May 18, 2006 - 2:43 pm CEST

God what a great take on the topic. Very cool and I love how she is turned towards us. Very well illustrated and your lighting *sigh* . . .

tiffini elektra x wrote on May 22, 2006 - 2:36 am CEST

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