.HUMOR. .JOY. .WONDER. .MYSTERY. . . Performance/Un-performance Puppetry Object Doodling Fool(ing)/Fooler(ing) . . . .PLAY.Tumblr (3.0; @marinacreature)http://marinacreature.tumblr.com/<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/040b6ecf97747ce78a94d6ba5cbacd18/tumblr_mf7us75yTf1qabf4no1_r1_500.jpg"/><br/> NY helps NY<br/><br/> <img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/1edb0ca3e7cc9c62083b1292a6635e28/tumblr_mf7us75yTf1qabf4no2_500.jpg"/><br/> Amin Hussain of Strike Debt and Occupy Sandy Staten Island (and Jack)<br/><br/> <img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/525732d69098118bf5e99d4a2c52b193/tumblr_mf7us75yTf1qabf4no4_r1_500.jpg"/><br/> Recipe for Recovery: Becky Wartel of Occupy Sandy Wellness and Mel Awakening of Sandy Survey Pool<br/><br/> <p><strong>Central Idea of the NYhelpsNY Benefit Variety Event on December 16, 2012 at Dixon Place:</strong></p> <p>The huge disconnect between those who know first hand:the relief work and level of trauma in our city, and those who don’t. The disconnect between the classes, between the haves and have nots.  Sandy has brought all of this to the forefront.  </p> <p>The evening was also, in part,  the launching of performance-centered events by the <strong>Ecologic Vibrancy Project</strong> that seek to foster dialogue with current ideas through performance.</p> <p>The piece I directed for the Puppets + Poets festival<strong> Time of Whelm</strong>  was a part of this, as well as my clown <strong>Jack Somebody <br/><a href="http://vimeo.com/54226153" target="_blank"><a href="http://vimeo.com/54226153" target="_blank">http://vimeo.com/54226153</a></a></strong></p> <p><strong><br/>Jim Moore was one of the photographers at the event and graciously invited me to be a guest blogger on his beautiful site, Vaude Visuals.    Full coverage of the event is here:</strong></p> <p><strong><a href="http://vaudevisuals.com/2013/01/hurricane-sandy-relief-effort-nyhelpsny-benefit-dixon-place/" target="_blank">http://vaudevisuals.com/2013/01/hurricane-sandy-relief-effort-nyhelpsny-benefit-dixon-place/</a><br/><br/>NYHelpsNY Benefit Variety Event </strong>was definitely a success. Thank you to Everyone who threw in their support on so many levels. <br/><br/> </p>http://marinacreature.tumblr.com/post/38214802986http://marinacreature.tumblr.com/post/38214802986Tue, 18 Dec 2012 02:43:00 -0500<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/22662af8e4b187c415aaebd5a58cad1f/tumblr_mews80MrZN1qabf4no1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p>A team of us are producing this and It is gearing up to be a great evening. I hope you can attend. <br/><br/></p>http://marinacreature.tumblr.com/post/37777880693http://marinacreature.tumblr.com/post/37777880693Wed, 12 Dec 2012 03:14:00 -0500“Your piece has made me think more than any other. I still don’t feel like I completely understand it, but percolating analysis has made me think more about the relationship between “stuff,” need, and class. Also, it has made me think quite a bit about how to create socially-aware theater without becoming too pedantic. It is a tricky balance, and you pulled it off well. I’m glad we had you all kick off the second half, as your piece was visually mesmerizing and actively engaging while not being obvious or trite.”<br/><br/> - <em><p>a response to “<strong>Time of Whelm</strong>” from one of the festival organizers. The Puppets + Poets festival was a huge success.  Thank you everyone who came to support it.</p> <p>(organized by the great organization of puppeteers, poets, theatermakers and educators: <a href="http://alphabetarts.org/" target="_blank">http://alphabetarts.org/</a>) </p></em>http://marinacreature.tumblr.com/post/37595234590http://marinacreature.tumblr.com/post/37595234590Sun, 09 Dec 2012 18:52:00 -0500<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mekrz8G0rw1qabf4no1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Getting ready!  ”Time of Whelm” premiering as part of the Puppets and Poets festival at the Bushwick Starr, Dec. 6 - 9, 8 p.m. shows.</p>http://marinacreature.tumblr.com/post/37277993086http://marinacreature.tumblr.com/post/37277993086Wed, 05 Dec 2012 15:37:56 -0500<iframe width="400" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/O8tSy66NG2E?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br/><br/><p>This performance was developed for an Anti-Fracking and Anti-Spectra Energy Pipeline benefit event, organized by Sane Energy Project<br/>saneenergyproject.org<br/><br/>Energy Pipelines carry methane “natural” gas into our stoves, from a fracking well hundreds of miles away.  Fracking is a very toxic process of extracting methane “natural” gas.  It poisons our water, our air, our earth, and ourselves.  The process must be banned, and the pipelines that carry its by-product stopped.<br/><br/>I just found that It was shared on firstpost.com. cool.  let’s spread the message further.  <br/><a href="http://firstpost.com/topic/place/new-jersey-disconnected-a-pipeline-parable-by-marina-tsaplina-video-O8tSy66NG2E-371-1.html" target="_blank">http://firstpost.com/topic/place/new-jersey-disconnected-a-pipeline-parable-by-marina-tsaplina-video-O8tSy66NG2E-371-1.html</a></p>http://marinacreature.tumblr.com/post/37225636017http://marinacreature.tumblr.com/post/37225636017Tue, 04 Dec 2012 20:04:00 -0500<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mej5h28FZj1qabf4no1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mej5h28FZj1qabf4no2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p>These are some puppets I made for a job.  In an hour and 15 minutes, nineteen 7-year old children, and one birthday girl, wanted to make puppets and put on a puppet show for their parents.<br/><br/>I left parts of the puppets blank so the children could color them in.</p> <p>The bird puppet was for the birthday girl, Mitra (who was an amazing child!) and it was the “Bird of the Season” as it first carried a summer flower, and then a snowflake. And Mitra puppeteered the bird through her living room so graciously!</p> <p>The show ended with the kids covering the big brown couch in snow  (a white bedsheet) and yelling “Happy Winter!!” while throwing cotton balls up in the air. </p>http://marinacreature.tumblr.com/post/37218657424http://marinacreature.tumblr.com/post/37218657424Tue, 04 Dec 2012 18:34:00 -0500<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/54861166" width="400" height="300" frameborder="0"></iframe><br/><br/><p>Jack Somebody and the Princess Pig</p> <p>In this work-in-progress installment, Jack explores ideas of debt and forgiveness, both societal and spiritual. <br/><br/>“We’re all worthy of a Jubilee”<br/><br/>I am worthy of a Jubilee<br/>I am worthy of a Jubilee<br/>I’ll forgive you<br/>And you’ll forgive me<br/>and then we could both be free </p>http://marinacreature.tumblr.com/post/37196980426http://marinacreature.tumblr.com/post/37196980426Tue, 04 Dec 2012 13:10:05 -0500<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/54226153" width="400" height="300" frameborder="0"></iframe><br/><br/><p>Please meet Jack Somebody. As his home is hit by Hurricane Sandy, he gets a little help from his friends.</p>http://marinacreature.tumblr.com/post/36546173340http://marinacreature.tumblr.com/post/36546173340Sun, 25 Nov 2012 17:55:33 -0500<p>Todd!<br/>well,<br/><br/>maybe before answering what is an un-performance, we need to define what is a performance, as before we undo something we need to do it, right?<br/><br/>so, im going to take myself through this as much as i am taking you.<br/>The first “rule”- if i may be so bold- of something to be considered a performance, is that there needs to be an audience present.  For the intention of trying to narrow and specify our definition, I will call an audience one that is other human beings (though this did spark an idea of how to do a performance for a group of cats, or dogs, or monkeys, or tigers, or any group of creatures. as well as of course doing a performance for a group of things, but lets keep those, at least for the moment, outside of this conversation)<br/><br/>So say you have your audience of people. <br/>Or, a potential audience.<br/>An audience implies that there is distance-space- between the performer and audience. </p> <p>Let us simplify even the performance itself into a single action.<br/><br/>A performative action-<br/>a performative action done from the stage (stage defined as designated area of performance) seeks to give something to the audience.<br/>What is being given is as wide in scope as how many performance actions there are, however I think that the deepest and most profound performance actions leave the audience with specific questions that they helped to awaken, and a sense of wonder. <br/><br/>However, a lot of performance actually exists in the moments Between the actions.   and are, in a way, non-actions. <br/><br/>The performative non-action is the moment that the performer has for deciding, and living in that decision making process (verses the performative action which is already the decision)  and it is within this space that the richest opportunity to plant for wonder and questioning is seated.<br/><br/>and the stringing together, of the performative action-nonaction-action, is a performance whole.<br/><br/>put this process through the lens of different characters, their choices and dramaturgical situations, and you get theater. <br/><br/>So, if a performance is a giving- arising- of a state/emotion/thought in the audience/reciever<br/><br/>then what is the opposite of a performance? <br/>or an unperformance?<br/><br/>well, as it still is a performance, then the same rules must apply, in that it (the unperformance) still requires an audience (a “receiver” of the performance)<br/>as it still needs to be giving something<br/><br/>so then, the “un” comes in its guise- as it is not understood necessarily as a performance. <br/>then let us rephrase and ask:<br/>what is the nature of a performative unperformance?</p> <p><br/>The traditional space between performer (giver) and audience (receiver) is not set, the gap is fluid, or doesn’t exist. the stage/audience relationship is erased. the possibility of role reversal is very high. <br/>a performanceunperformance can be the offering of an ashtray from one person to another at a party, the two people having not communicated for a long time because of being on hostile terms. <br/>The significance of that act is very large in the space between these two people, boundaries being unclear.<br/><br/>there is a lot of talk currently about “erasing the gap between audience and actor”<br/>I don’t agree with that.<br/>I think you do what is appropriate, for the situation you are in, and for the gift, you are trying to give.</p> <p>Sometimes, a stage is necessary, that initial gap is necessary, and the performance is “gifted” when that space seemingly disappears- the performer is successful in giving to the audience the gift. Also known as ”breaking the 4th wall”<br/>That is what is ironic about that currently hot-contested “gap” between audience and actor—— it exists initially, but disappears after a truly successful giving.</p> <p>I would say, that the Occupation as a whole is a performanceunperformance.<br/>with moments of absolute pure and outright performance.<br/><br/> Thank you for asking and giving me the opportunity to answer.<br/>Thoughts in response? </p>http://marinacreature.tumblr.com/post/19671849979http://marinacreature.tumblr.com/post/19671849979Wed, 21 Mar 2012 03:11:00 -0400<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m15wq0Hy201qz91t7o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Playing my latest piece and character Jack, from the Jack-in-the-Box, for the Newark Boys Choir School, through the Newark, NJ-based, globally minded nonprofit Creation Nation. <br/>Hosted at W.I.P (Work In Progress)</p>http://marinacreature.tumblr.com/post/19609111763http://marinacreature.tumblr.com/post/19609111763Mon, 19 Mar 2012 22:41:00 -0400<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lpivywWOva1qabf4no1_r1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lpivywWOva1qabf4no2_r1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lpivywWOva1qabf4no5_r2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lpivywWOva1qabf4no6_r1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p>from a current show-in-progress, working title <em>Youth and Age</em> (<em>Brown and Blue Roses</em>), 2011</p> <p><strong>Music  </strong> <br/>Franz Nicolay- Accordion<br/>Sarah Zar- Singing Saw</p> <p><strong>Costume Design </strong><strong>and Construction</strong>   <br/>Marina Tsaplina<br/>Rebecca Diele   <br/>Fabio Costa <br/>Lilia Trenkova<br/><br/>Mask design and construction by Marina Tsaplina<br/><br/><strong>Photos</strong>  <br/>Linus Gelber</p> <p>More documentation:<br/><a href="http://vaudevisuals.com/tag/marina-tsaplina/" target="_blank">http://vaudevisuals.com/tag/marina-tsaplina/</a><br/><em>“Surreal, emotional voyage thru a series of characters dancing in a void of attachment”</em></p>http://marinacreature.tumblr.com/post/8568536831http://marinacreature.tumblr.com/post/8568536831Sat, 06 Aug 2011 16:08:00 -0400<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lpkctlWzZq1qabf4no1_400.png"/><br/><br/><p>Persistent Listening</p>http://marinacreature.tumblr.com/post/8601361767http://marinacreature.tumblr.com/post/8601361767Sat, 19 Mar 2011 23:10:00 -0400<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kvdvjjH3r91qabf4no1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Eve’s discarded bitten apple.</p>http://marinacreature.tumblr.com/post/305020515http://marinacreature.tumblr.com/post/305020515Mon, 28 Dec 2009 17:23:00 -0500<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kvay014pip1qabf4no1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p>“Do I contradict myself?… I contain multitudes.”<br/>- Walt Whitman <br/><br/>Carved and painted wood head. </p>http://marinacreature.tumblr.com/post/302492449http://marinacreature.tumblr.com/post/302492449Mon, 28 Dec 2009 03:24:00 -0500<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kvamr0OTKX1qabf4no1_500.png"/><br/><br/>http://marinacreature.tumblr.com/post/302168776http://marinacreature.tumblr.com/post/302168776Sun, 27 Dec 2009 23:21:00 -0500<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kvdveycBgG1qabf4no1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/>http://marinacreature.tumblr.com/post/305016691http://marinacreature.tumblr.com/post/305016691Sun, 27 Dec 2009 17:20:00 -0500<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/3861090" width="400" height="300" frameborder="0"></iframe><br/><br/><p>this is my reel from 2007 - 2008 from when I was focusing on film/animation work.</p>http://marinacreature.tumblr.com/post/302488831http://marinacreature.tumblr.com/post/302488831Sun, 27 Dec 2009 03:20:00 -0500<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kvaxj6dBbk1qabf4no1_r1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p>self-caricature, 2008</p> <p>pencil and paper</p>http://marinacreature.tumblr.com/post/302480900http://marinacreature.tumblr.com/post/302480900Sun, 27 Dec 2009 03:13:00 -0500<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kvaxh2EQoC1qabf4no1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>self-portrait,2008</p> <p>Craft paper, pencil, charcoal, colored pencil, pastel, tracing paper</p>http://marinacreature.tumblr.com/post/302479392http://marinacreature.tumblr.com/post/302479392Sun, 27 Dec 2009 03:12:37 -0500