Ask The Animals: Problem Solving With Puppets Elspeth Murray, 12 January 2016 I called this session because I've begun using puppetry to help artists talk and think about their work. I've used Critical Response Process to facilitate artist-centred feedback on performances and work in progress. http://www.scottishtheatre.org/projects-services/critical-response-process And I've used puppets within workshop and classroom settings to give people feedback and encouragement on their work. We talked about ways that puppets have helped us solve problems. Bridget the badger, Juniper the rabbit and Frank the fox all took turns in facilitating feedback from Lisa and Paul and Matilda to Ridley who had made 3 different Lego cars. Step 1: Statements of Meaning. The puppets asked the responders to say what they found meaningful about the cars. Step 2: Ridley told the puppets that he wanted to know from us which car was our favourite. (In this section the artist can ask any specific questions that are of interest at that time). Step 3: The responders asked Ridley some neutral questions about his process and ambition around the cars. We learned some useful things we didn't know about working with his mum/co-builder Matilda and the restrictions of working with a limited set of Lego. And the limits on speed of Lego cars. Step 4: The responders OFFERED opinions to Ridley in the following format: “I've got an opinion about X. Would you like to hear it?” He didn't have to hear the opinion or, if he did choose to hear it, didn't have to say whether he was going to take it on board or not. As well as that the puppets were able to chat to people about how they were feeling. Frank had the great privilege of hearing how D&D was making someone feel particularly appreciative of his life and work and place in the world. It's enough to make a puppet feel all warm and fuzzy inside! Images: Comments: 1 vimal korpal, 14 January 2016 Dear Frank Fox, It was a pleasure to meet u on Sunday. I was unaware how powerful puppetry is and how it can really take people on a journey especially their own! So thank you. It's given me a taster to get more involved with puppetry. Vkx