Recently I’ve been doing a lot of research for some paper sculptures that I am working on. While combing the wiles of the internet I came across Tony Orrico and have fallen madly for his work. He is a visual artist, performer, and choreographer that uses his body as tool to create large scale drawings. In some instances he moves like a human spirograph, working continuously for upwards of four hours to complete one work.
What fascinates me most about his process is his precision in movement and concentration. The surprise lies in pieces like Penwald: 9: lateral bends lost, where his movement, though symetrical, seems erratic and jerky. It isn’t until the work is complete that you can really marvel at his careful attention to detail.
Take a look at more of his videos here.
Tony Orrico, Penwald: 9: lateral bends lost
Images from the Bread and Puppet Museum, Glover, Vermont
I’m almost ashamed to admit that I’ve never actually seen a Bread and Puppet performance, especially after sharing the last twelve years of my life with a Vermonter who grew up on Bread and Puppet Theater. All of the stories I’ve heard over the years can’t compare to having seen one of the largest collections of puppets in the world. I can only imagine what it must be like to see those characters come to life. Maybe next summer I will finally break bread with Bread and Puppet.
If you’re in or around Glover, Vermont the museum hours are 10AM-6PM Daily until November 1st. Check the Bread and Puppet website for their performance schedule.For more information about the history of Bread and Puppet click here.
