In the Gothic district of Barcelona, situated in a narrow alley lane, is an artist, Teresa Travieso, who has been there everyday in this little shop called 'Casa de Pinocho (House of Pinocchio), for 40 years. She makes puppets, simple hand puppets, and very elaborate full solid figures that, with clever articulation, move, walks talk, sing (with voice given by the handlers of course), dance and perform intriguing acrobatics.
Not that she makes only Pinocchio puppets as the shop name implies, but all popular cartoon or comic figures, Disney film heroes and heroines, or animals ... in fact just about any type of any creatures. What was originally a hobby had turned to be a life long profession, with a huge and varied list of clientèle, nearly as many foreigners and tourists as local Spaniards, many coming from far off corners of Spain. In the recent years, she accepts commission to make anything a client wants; you only have to send her a photo of yourself, a family member, a friend, even the household cat; then wait for the completed puppet by post.
They are made of wood, Papier mâché (construction paper product, paper pulp mixed with flour and water, used for modelling), remnants of cloth, wires, acrylics & óleo, but the puppets look so alive!
I think I should like to have one in the image of me, then I can make it express or act out all the suppressed sentiments, fantasies, desires and wicked thoughts to amuse myself, to show how ridiculous or clever I sometimes am. Sort of self examination, confronting my own demons or awarding myself for something well done. Buy the puppet is easy, but the required skill necessary to turn it into a 'living' mini-ME is quite a challenge, not to say impossible!
Footnote: Her surname, Travieso means Naughty or Mischievous in Spanish. Apt!
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