It's a Kind of Magic

• In ancient China, puppets' heads were always removed from their bodies at night in order to keep them from coming alive.
• In ancient Greece, legend has it that Pygmalion, a Cypriot sculptor, carved the perfect woman from marble. He loved her so much that he prayed to Venus that she could come to life. Venus granted his wish.
• In the early centuries of the common era are some of our first references to the Jewish golems. A golem is a being created from inanimate substance, and much respect is given to those who are able to conjure them into being. It is said that golems have occasionally protected the Jewish people from attack.
• In the 1700s, Jacques de Vaucanson, a French inventor, created the first "robots." He is most famous for his "Digesting Duck," that had hundreds of parts, appeared to be able to drink and digest food, flap his wings, and poop. In creating the duck's intestines, de Vaucanson inadvertently gave the world flexible rubber tubing.
  
• In 1818, a novel was published anonymously that spun the story of Dr. Frankenstein, a scientist who discovers a way to create life. He rejects his ugly monster, however, and the monster seeks vengence on his creator out of loneliness and rejection.
  
• The late 1800's brought us the tale of Pinocchio. Geppetto, the Italian woodcarver, carved him from pinenut wood, and although he was a puppet, he dreamt of being a real boy.
• One hundred years later, Child's Play films introduces us to Chucky, a violent killer who dives into a toy box on his death bed and, of course, his soul is transferred into a "Good Guy" doll.

These are only a few examples that I could think of that illustrate how the world sees puppets. Of course, some are not traditional puppets, but I think that all of the examples underscore the fascination and respect that all humans have for the anthropomorphization of inanimate objects. I think, too, that we see it as fair trade for deaths that we experience. Click here, and you can see what seems like one more chance to see MJ. It was magic in the ancient times, and it is magic now. Consider also, Toy Story 3, in theatres now, making grown men cry. We love to suspend disbelief, whether we are puppeteers or not.

Which leads me to my video link for the day. I know many of you are very familiar with Philippe Genty, French theatre artist and puppeteer, but this video is one of my all time favorites. Get out your Kleenex.