Category Archives: Puppet Origin Stories

Mum, created by Oliver Chong during a 2006 Prague marionette-making masterclass, is a beautifully detailed elderly woman puppet. Initially too heavy for performances, she was recently restored, shedding weight from 2000g to 1360g. With carved wooden lingerie for costume versatility, Mum is now ready for her debut in Puppet Origin Stories.

Name: Oiwa ShrineMaker: Daniel SimYear of Birth: 2021Production of Birth: Oiwa – The Ghost of Yotsuya Oiwa Shrine was featured in Oiwa – The Ghost of Yotsuya (2021), commissioned by the Singapore International Festival of Arts. Designed by Daniel Sim, this intricately built shrine exploded apart during the performance when its controller was removed. It was inspired by JapaneseContinue reading “Puppet Origin Stories: Oiwa Shrine”

Name: Ru XinMaker: Loo An NiYear of Birth: 2021Production of Birth: No Disaster on This Land Ru Xin is a life-sized puppet designed by Loo An Ni for The Puppets are Alright – Parting (2023). Built from a modular structure created for the production of No Disaster on This Land (2021), An Ni layered fish tank filter sponge andContinue reading “Puppet Origin Stories: Ru Xin”

Name: Octopus x MokMaker: Daniel SimYear of Birth: 2021Production of Birth: Jun and the Octopus Octopus x Mok is a hybrid puppet featured in Jun and the Octopus (2022), designed by Daniel Sim. Representing a transformation of Uncle Mok into an octopus in Jun’s nightmare, it combines TFP-style rod puppetry with innovative mechanics. The puppet’s tentacles are controlled byContinue reading “Puppet Origin Stories: Octopus x Mok”

Name: ChewyMaker: Marilyn AngYear of Birth: 2022Production of Birth: Jun and the Octopus Chewy, a rod-marionette dog puppet from Jun and the Octopus (2022), was designed by Marilyn Ang with guidance from Daniel Sim. Inspired by a Sporting Lucas Terrier, Chewy’s design features a bendable torso and a cheerfully wagging tail mechanism. Constructed from sponge, wood, and white fur,Continue reading “Puppet Origin Stories: Chewy”

Name: Ah WhereMaker: Loo An NiYear of Birth: 2006Production of Birth: The Ageing Artist Ah Where, featured in The Ageing Artist, is a striking puppet symbolizing an artist’s struggle with mortality. Designed by Loo An Ni, its oversized head, hands, and feet capture Ah Where’s journey of physical degeneration. Crafted with grey wood-textured elements, the puppet evolves over time,Continue reading “Puppet Origin Stories: Ah Where”