Thai and Khmer Puppets and Masks: In Praise of Ram
curated by Kathy Foley, UCSC Theatre Arts Department
February 10 - May 6, 2017
■ Reception: Friday, February 10, 5:00 –7:00 pm
Thai and Khmer puppets and masks were traditionally linked to the tale of Prince Ram, a deity who is born to save the world and performances were closely linked to Southeast Asian kingship. Narratives sung were written by kings and danced by the elite. The late 2Oth and early 21st Century have been times of turmoil in both countries with the querying of divine kingship/enlightened monarchs in the modern world and the movement toward contemporary art, democratic stories of commoners, and digital and media is evident. Mask dance and traditional puppetry are held up as intangible cultural heritage, but the belief systems they represent are shifting in contemporary culture.
Acknowledgements: Sesnon Gallery,Theatre Arts Dept., Asian Cultural Council; World Wood Foundation, UCSC Arts Research Institute and Committe on Research, Porter College.
Connected performance: Masked Acts—Kyogen Shakespeare, Butterfly Lovers, and Topeng Panji
Asian theatre and dance drama
adapted and directed by Kathy Foley for UCSC Theatre Arts Department
gamelan musical direction by Undang Sumarna with assistance by Ed Garcia and choreography by Zainal Abdul Latiff Abang and Cis Garcia
Gallery hours:
Tuesday – Saturday, 12–5 p.m.
Wednesday 12-8 p.m.