American Puppet Modernism

American Puppet Modernism by John Bell is subtitled "Essays on the Material World in Performance". This book describes and analyses different types of object performance in American history from 1860 to 2007. The author uses the common focus on the use of material objects in performance to link the worlds of traditional puppetry, mechanised image performance, indigenous rituals, avant-garde theatre, political street performances, advertising, Kustom Kulture, art cars, and film and television. In this impressive and wide-ranging study he spans the whole spectrum from traditional popular entertainments to innovative high modernism."Bell reminds us that we belittle puppets at our peril" (Martin Puchner).  A clearly written and incisive study that will become a standard work. 12 chapters. 8 b/w illustrations. Notes, Index & Bibliography. p.280.