Hand Shadow Puppetry

Hand Shadow Puppetry
You know you should put down the e-game, shut down the video, and get off the phone for just a little while. But what would you do? Well, for a couple of hours, get some friends and family together and play “Hand Shadow Puppetry.” This activity, also known as “shadow art”, goes back long before the invention of electric lights, movies, and of course, videos. But now it’s time to let your imagination take over and try out new ideas. There are no age restrictions, and the performer does not have to be in top shape. This activity requires very little in the way of props, tools, and equipment. All that is required initially is a light source and a light colored wall. The purist would say that candle light is superior. It certainly would be more authentic, but just be careful with the open flame. Holding your hands close to the wall results in larger but less definitive images. When hands are held closer, the image is smaller but better defined.
If your introduction into shadow puppetry eventually takes you past the point of simulating birds and dogs, you probably can’t do better than study Chinese shadow puppetry. “Ombres Chinoises” is truly shadow puppetry on steroids. Shadow puppetry, also known as shadow play, is an ancient Asian form of storytelling and entertainment and is said to have been the forerunner of Chinese opera and modern theatre. These puppeteers create images cut from light material such as paper, parchment, or leather and attach moving parts (arms and legs e.g.). Strings or wires are then attached to long rods and the moving parts are attached to long rods and moving parts to control the movement of the puppet. The figures are held between a light source and a screen made of very light material. Once an ancient activity, “Ombres Chinese” is world renown and attracts many visitors to China. An informative and enlightening video, describing Chinese shadow puppetry and its origins, can be seen on the YouTube video entitled “Chinese Shadow Puppetry” at www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-mzqxZNp2g.
There is an amazing supply of books and illustrations available on the web to get you started making hand shadows but eventually you won’t want to replicate only what you see. Add a few small props such as small feathers, a pencil, a table fork, even a dust bunny that was missed last time you cleaned. The possibilities are endless!