The History of African American Object Performance and Puppetry (w/ Dr. Paulette Richards)
Dr. Paulette Richards is a celebrated artist, educator, performer, and author who studies the meaning of puppets, masks, and other performing objects in the African diaspora. She joins me for this episode on the roots and history of puppetry and object performance in Black America.
Dr. Richards offers her thoughts on why puppets made by enslaved people of African descent have not been found (yet), and how the broader category of object performance is exemplified in African American culture through the relationship to material items such as church fans and musical instruments.
Finally, we discuss the echoes of African ritual culture in Black American object performance and the history of Black puppetry in the U.S., from the early 20th Century through the modern day.
Dr. Paulette Richards' website: https://www.paulette-richards.com/
Dr. Richards’ book: Object Performance in the Black Atlantic: The United States
Listen to full episode:
Episode Notes:
Living Objects: African American Puppetry exhibit (Ballard Institute & Museum)
Nike
“Mississippi Bo Weavil Blues”-- Charley Patton
The Black Saint & The Sinner Lady–Charles Mingus
Sesame Street
“Where They From” – Missy Elliott ft. Pharrell
“A Deeper Love”– Clivillés + Cole
“Gypsy Woman” – Crystal Waters
“Vogue” – Madonna
“Boots on The Ground”– 803Fresh