The first is a rod marionette of Omolu, an important figure (orisha) from the Brazilian spiritual belief system of Candomblé. He forms a pantheon of characters each of which have their own rich and complex compliment of fables and music. Some of my friends here in Bristol are involved with Candomble to various degrees, and it was suggested that some of the stories from the tradition would make interesting puppet shows.
Omolu is sickened by smallpox and hides his face behind a mask of raffia, a tragic character representing sickness and the figure of the outsider he is very powerful, and understands human nature deeply. When one is sick offerings of popcorn are used to appease Omolu.
The style of the puppet is based on the Portugese traditional show Boecos de Santo Alexia. Marrionettes using long metal rods instead of strings. This style of puppetry is also popular in Brazil and offers the advantage of being able to have a large number of puppets occupy the same space relatively easily, with each puppeteer having the ability to control several puppets if required.
I am also experimenting with blacklights at the moment and exploring various materials and pigments that emit UV light.
The second puppet is just for fun I suppose. She is inspired vaguely by a Japanese folk monster or Yokai called a 'Rokurokubi', a supernatural creature who resembles a human being but at night grows an immensely long neak.
Its found object puppet a la Basil Milovsoroff and Alice White. I've also been looking into Sophie Tauber's puppets for 'The King Stag' a bit recently. A real shame no video seems to exist of it (it was a long time ago!)
From 'Alice White's Performing toys, Vol II' which is a gem of a book.
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