A Marionette Is
A marionette is a puppet controlled from above using wires or strings; material used in dependant on the regions in question. A marionette's puppeteer is called a manipulator. Marionettes are operated by a puppeteer hidden from an audience by using a vertical or horizontal control bar. Puppet existed in the Classical world of the ancient Greeks and Romans. They were developed into marionettes slowly across the European Continent. Throughout Europe, Italy was commonly considered to be the birthplace of the marionette. These early puppets were used to teach lessons in morality to a largely illiterate audience. Later, the marionettes were also used in epics like “The Song of Roland.” During the eighteenth century, there was a trend of using marionettes to perform full-length operas, a tradition which is continued in some parts of Germany to this day. As can be seen, marionettes have a long and varied history. With the continuing growth of the art, the innovations are discovered by puppeteers themselves.
Until a Marionette Can Step onto a Stage
At first, I write a script and set the characters who will step on the stage. Next, I make designs for those characters. After I design the characters, I mold the clay into a doll before carving. Then I make the parts of marionette one by one. It really takes a lot of time to hollow out wood: so two to three months are needed to make one marionette. Then, I attach the strings used to make it move. It’s not over. I keep my work until I’m sure the strings are connected well and the marionette is able to move well. Only then, can I step onto a stage with the marionettes.
Faith, A Turning Point in My Life
The most important watershed in my life was faith. After a deep devotion to God, my values totally changed. After receiving a degree in industrial designs, I begin working as an Interior Designer. In doing that work, I realized I was unfulfilled. Being unsatisfied with my career, I tried my hard at other jobs. I started selling Chinese pancakes in front of Dong-a University. Not liking that, I tried several different things: working with a construction crew, selling roasted sweet potatoes, driving taxis, and a host of other things.
Initial Encounter with the Marionette
One day while working in a countryside child care center, I created a puppet show for the children. It had a positive effect on the kids, so I created a group entitled “Barley loaves and fish” for the show. I traveled across the nation performing this show for the disabled children in orphanages and such. I was happy but I felt like there was something missing in our puppet show. Thinking of improving the quality of my show, I went to Japan and experienced my first marionette puppet festival. As soon as I saw it, I said to myself, “That is my calling!.” People around me advised against it, saying, “It is too difficult.” However, I never gave up. I went deep into the mountains by myself and practiced crafting marionettes. I failed over and over again. Meanwhile, I couldn’t help but leaving Korea to study the art of Marionette due to this thirst for learning.
Strict Hard Work and Discipline
It is really difficult to make Marionettes. It requires a lot of time, hard work, and technique. I spent a lot of time in Russia studying the craft. I wasn’t even a regular student. I just audited the class. Every morning I went to the university with two lunch boxes, carved wood, and worked deep into the night. Though I couldn’t communicate with the Russian Professor, he admitted me as a student as he recognized my earnestness. Through studying hard, I was finally able to master the craft of the Marionette.
To be brave
Learning to make Marionettes was never easy. I was a family man and had many practical problems and responsibilities. However, I thought only the brave can handle this impasse. I decided to fight against the problems rather than blame the social systems. I believed I could find my way, and my son, who was in high school at that time, cheered me on, too. He gladly offered me one million won to study the art of Marionettes.
My Troupe: Barley Loaves and Fish
The Bible contains an anecdote about barley loaves and fish. It is the story of Jesus feeding 5,000 people with only five small barley loaves and two small fish. After I read this story, I realized we can make miracles sharing small things. So, I made a troupe named “Barley Loaves and Fish” with hopes to give out happiness, despite having modest talent.
Marionette is priceless
Just as Geppetto loved Pinnocchio, the Marionette, I made are like sons to me. One day I got a call from someone who wanted to buy them. I said “No”. I never sell them to this day. How can I sell my sons? I feel limitless joy when I make new Marionettes. It’s like true birth of a new baby.
Geppetto’s Dream
My dream is to make a Marionette theater. Because there is no Marionette theater in Korea, people can’t enjoy the Marionette show. If I can build one, many puppeteers can get opportunities for their stage. I would hope it gives peace of mind to those who desperately need to regain the innocence of their childhood.
Young Man, Listen To Me
“Do not be tied down by money.” I want to say this too all young men. These days, everyone wants to get jobs that earn lots of money. But, actually most things you learn in universities are of no use when you graduate. Lately, I saw a man who graduated from university and he was a street cleaner applicant. Why did he graduate from university? I get so frustrated watching everyone go to university. It’s a waste of time and money. They are just living without thinking about what they want to be or what they can do well. I advise you to have your eyes open to the realities of life. Let go of vague greed for money. Then, discover your true interests and work toward those goals.
By Kim Su-ji CP Reporter
ex112358@cnu.ac.kr